Hamilton takes comfort in McLaren pace after German Grand Prix retirement
Lewis Hamilton says he took some comfort from McLaren's improved pace at the German Grand Prix - but admits his title charge cannot afford too many more non-points finishes
On the back of a major upgrade introduced by his Woking-based team at Hockenheim, Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button enjoyed a step forward in pace.
However, Hamilton's hopes of matching Button's eventual podium finish were wrecked by a second lap puncture - which damaged his car and left him unable to make much progress before his late-race retirement.
But despite his personal disappointment, Hamilton says that there were some positives to take out of the weekend.
"In terms of Jenson's result it was fantastic, but for me - looking at the pace I had even with the issues I had, my diff was quite badly damaged and my left rear corner destroyed plus my floor - knowing I had lost so much downforce and was still competitive was comforting."
However, with Hamilton now 64 points adrift of championship leader Fernando Alonso in the title stakes, he knows that even with a quick car he cannot afford to fall much further adrift of the title front-runners.
Speaking about how big a dent the German GP was to his championship hopes, he said: "It was as big a dent as you could probably take. Just as Valencia was. Through a season I don't think there could be a bigger dent.
"There are only a certain amount of dents that you can take through the year, especially when the guy who is leading has finished every race in the points."
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Lewis Hamilton |
| Teams | McLaren |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
