Hamilton hails praise from Hill after win

LEWIS HAMILTON perfectly executed a Mercedes pit-stop gamble to beat Max Verstappen to victory at yesterday’s Formula One Spanish Grand Prix and declared: “There’s life in this old dog yet”.

Hamilton’s hopes of claiming his third win from four races appeared slim when he was left out on old tyres for four laps longer than his rival during the opening round of pit stops at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. But the world champion’s Mercedes team rolled the strategy dice by calling in their star driver for a second time with 24 of the 66 laps remaining.

Hamilton was faced with a daunting 22-second deficit to overturn, but, by the start of lap 60, Verstappen was within striking range. The seven-time world champion followed the Dutchman at over 200mph along the pit straight before darting to the left and placing his Mercedes around the outside of Verstappen’s Red Bull to secure his 98th win and fifth in as many visits to Spain.

Team principal Toto Wolff, who watched the action unfold with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one-third owner of Mercedes and Britain’s richest man, threw his arms up in celebration as Hamilton executed the comeback.

Ratcliffe then joined Hamilton on the podium to toast a win which moves the 36-year-old 14 points clear of Verstappen in the title race.

Hamilton’s latest triumph arrived 24 hours after landing his 100th pole – a landmark which led Damon Hill to describe his compatriot as one of the most talented people to have walked the Earth.

“There is still some life in this old dog,” said Hamilton, 13 years older than Verstappen. “I saw Damon’s tweet yesterday, and I feel so much gratitude towards him.

“I remember growing up watching Damon and having, as I do now, so much respect for him. I was routing for him as a Brit to succeed even when he didn’t have a great car or good team.

“It is definitely humbling when you see people you have admired and watched or taken inspiration from and hearing them say positive and respectful things.”