Hamilton: It’s time to turn up heat in pressure cooker
BY FRANK HAYNES LEWIS HAMILTON intends to turn up the heat in the second half of the season after defying sweltering conditions to leave title foe Sebastian Vettel toiling.
The Englishman ruled yesterday’s Hungarian Grand Prix from start to finish to extend his lead over Vettel to 24 points.
Hamilton crossed the line 17 seconds clear of his Ferrari rival to go into F1’s four-week break in control.
The Mercedes driver said: “We’ve won five races, we are ahead of the Ferraris – which eight-nine races in really turned up the heat – and to come away with two wins in a row is a great show of strength in depth.
“We need to apply more pressure in the second half. This is where we need to turn up the heat.”
Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly said he shed six pounds in the race due to the heat.
But Hamilton rubbished any suggestion his hot pursuit of a fifth world title was near complete.
He said: “Absolutely not. It is far too early. You have seen the ups and downs we have had.
“We’ve been ahead then behind then ahead. I don’t believe there is ever a moment you have your hands on the trophy.”
Vettel went from fourth to second after escaping damage when Valtteri Bottas ran into the back of him as the Finn defended his position at a turn.
Vettel said: “This year showed so far our car is more efficient, stronger and still has a lot of potential
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
to unleash.” Bottas and his wounded Mercedes fell to fifth as he collided with Daniel Ricciardo late on.
And Mercedes last night insisted the Finn is not their No.2 driver after team boss Toto Wolff said he’d been “such a sensational wingman” in Hungary.
Seeking to clear up, Wolff said: “Valtteri’s race was the perfect wingman’s race and I don’t mean in championship terms.
“He started second and was second after the opening lap. From my standpoint it was Valtteri’s best race at Mercedes in the last two years.”
Bottas trails Hamilton in the standings by 81 points but said: “We are on equal terms and I trust the team 100 per cent on that.”