Hamilton: Sauna conditions

Related links

Teams

• McLaren

Drivers

• Lewis Hamilton

Also see

• Massa wins in Valencia
• Live coverage
• Bet now with Sky Bet

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton said he was happy to settle for second place behind Felipe Massa in the European Grand Prix.

Despite the McLaren Mercedes star taking the chequered flag 5.6 seconds adrift of the Brazilian's Ferrari, the failure of Massa's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen to finish means that Hamilton's lead has increased to six points.

And, following a hard afternoon's work in sweltering conditions at Valencia's new harbourfront street circuit, Hamilton was happy with the result after admitting he did not have the pace to match Massa.

"I can't complain with second place," he said. "We've had quite a strong weekend on a nice new circuit to get some good points both me and (team-mate) Heikki (Kovalainen, who finished fourth). It was overall a strong weekend for us.

"I wasn't anywhere near as quick as Felipe and Robert (Kubica, who finished third) was pushing pretty hard for the first couple of corners but after that it was fine.

"It's quite difficult to overtake here so I was just keeping the gap steady to him, but in the final stint he was able to start pulling away."

Doubt

Hamilton also revealed that severe neck spasms and 'flu symptoms had brought his very participation in the race into doubt.

"I had to have injections for my neck and luckily I have got a great doctor and a great team or I might not have made it," the 23-year-old continued.

"As it was, it was pretty tough in the race and I had a lot of pain. But I don't think I lost any time in the race because of it - I never lose time!

"I have had a miserable weekend really from the day I arrived - I have a lot of 'flu symptoms, a fever every day.

"I have had low energy, just felt poorly with problems with the spasms in my neck which led to me being in doubt for the weekend and obviously for this race."

Of the conditions he experienced in the cockpit, Hamilton added: "I don't think this track is that physical, just that it is hot.

"You don't have enough water in the car. It has been a hot weekend, wearing these big suits is like driving in a sauna, but I am happy with how we got through it."