Hamilton is a class act again
LEWIS HAMILTON says his return to Formula One action yesterday felt like “a first day back in school”.
The Briton was ruled out of last weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix, the first race he has missed since making his debut in 2007, after he contracted coronavirus.
But following 10 days of quarantine and a number of negative results, Hamilton was back behind the wheel of his Mercedes ahead of the season- ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Much to his delight, the seven- time world champion will now be able to bring the curtain down on another record- breaking season which has sealed his place among Britain’s all- time sporting greats.
Hamilton said: “I was very, very happy and grateful just to be back here and obviously to try and finish off this season strong. Super excited, it felt like the first day back at school kind of thing.
“It definitely took a minute to get back used to it for the first session and then the second one I think still getting my bearings, but not too bad.
“It was definitely odd for me. In my 27 years of racing I’ve never missed a race, so one day I’ll write a book about it.”
It’s been another remarkable season for Hamilton, who is still to agree an extension on his £ 35million- a- year Mercedes contract which expires at the end of this year.
The 35- year- old surpassed Michael Schumacher’s 91 Grand
Prix wins and equalled the German’s record of seven world championship titles.
And the Stevenage racer has dismissed any idea that he is trying to put a marker down ahead of 2021 with a strong finish to the season.
He said: “I don’t think I need to do anything more to seal what I have done.
It’s not important at all.
“I just want to come here and enjoy what I do.”
It was a low- key return for the Briton as he was beaten to top spot by teammate Valtteri Bottas in second practice yesterday.