The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Spanish pain was spur for Hungary triumph
Hamilton: Crash was leader’s turning point
Lewis Hamilton has described his crash with Nico Rosberg at the Spanish Grand Prix as the turning point in his season after moving six points clear of his Mercedes team-mate with a record-breaking victory in Hungary yesterday.
The defending champion leads the Formula One championship for the first time this season after he beat pole-sitter Rosberg on the long run down to turn one on the opening lap, and from there controlled the race.
It was a masterful Hungarian Grand Prix victory from Hamilton, and one which never appeared in doubt after arguably his best start of the season.
He has now won at the Hungaroring on more occasions – five times – than any other driver in the sport’s history.
Hamilton was 43 points behind Rosberg after they collided on the opening lap at the Barcelona race in May but after winning five of the six ensuing grands prix, Hamilton will head to Germany next week – the final round before the summer break – in charge of the title race.
“I think Spain was a turning point,” said Hamilton. “It didn’t feel like it was, but it was rock bottom. The only way was up. I just managed to get my head together.”
The early part of Hamilton’s title defence was curtailed by mechanical issues and bad luck. Mercedes swapped a number of mechanics from his championshipwinning side of the garage to that of Rosberg’s ahead of the campaign, and Hamilton also faces starting at least one of the remaining 10 races from the back of the grid under complex engine ruling.
“I have less engines, my mechanics had been changed, and all these different things didn’t seem to be working,” Hamilton added. “But since Spain we’ve pulled together.”
At one stage yesterday, Hamilton was told to improve his pace by Mercedes, with Rosberg falling into Daniel Ricciardo’s clutches before the second and final round of pit stops. Sceptics suggested that the Briton may have been driving within himself in a ploy to give Ricciardo a chance of passing Rosberg. But Hamilton said: “Nico could have closed the gap if he wanted to.”
Rosberg did not, and will head to his home race behind Hamilton in the championship. Ricciardo crossed the line third, while Sebastian Vettel finished fourth for Ferrari. Max Verstappen held off Kimi Raikkonen to finish fifth. Jenson Button endured a miserable afternoon after a hydraulic issue in the opening laps dropped him to the back of the field.
“I just managed to get my head together”