Lewis - Best weekend so far
Championship leader revels in Hockenheim glory
Last updated: 21st July 2008
Hamilton: Leading the way
The team have done a great job, and we are really on top of our game right now.
Lewis Hamilton
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Lewis Hamilton described his German Grand Prix victory as McLaren's "best weekend" this season as the Briton opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Drivers' Championship.
Hamilton was cruising towards back-to-back race wins until a horror smash involving Toyota's Timo Glock on lap 35 of the 67-lap race required the Englishman to fightback from fifth to clinch the win.
In front of his home fans, Glock hurtled backwards into a concrete wall along the start-finish straight after a section of the right rear of his car gave way emerging out of the final corner.
It brought the safety car into play, with McLaren's strategists at the team's headquarters in Woking deciding he did not need to stop when the pit lane re-opened, unlike 11 others who dived in.
That almost cost Hamilton as the safety car stayed out longer than anticipated, so when he did finally pit for a second time 17 laps from home, he was relegated from the lead to fifth.
Great job
Although Hamilton was aided by team-mate Heikki Kovalainen allowing him by, and a Nick Heidfeld pit stop, he showed frightening pace to catch and stunningly pass Felipe Massa and Nelson Piquet late on.
"I think it has been our best weekend up until now," said Hamilton who was dominant in practice and qualifying.
"We have been very strong throughout, as we were in the recent test here.
"The team have done a great job, and we are really on top of our game right now.
"But we cannot get too far ahead of ourselves. We have got a lot of work to do for the rest of the season.
"But if we can continue with this momentum we're looking very good. Now it's on to the next race, with Hungary a very good one for us, so fingers crossed."
F1 Drivers Championship 2008: Hamilton, L 8/13
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Comments
Lawrence Birkshire says...
to mr. keates' comment: saying lewis is only good because he's got a good car is just like saying that ronaldo wouldn't be good playing for west brom - there's no doubt that it helps to be in a quick car but if the driver's rubbish he'll still not finish first. hamilton has been in the formula 1 for one and a half years and made it look so easy to overtake massa who's been there for years and who got the chance to drive with schumacher who's the best driver since senna! instead of moaning about lewis' luck to be good enough to drive a good car you should be thankful that lewis' is not the next button - he's the best british driver since sir jackie stewart!
Posted 10:13 22nd July 2008
Richard Burke says...
to the guy who thinks lewis' success is all down the the mclaren. mate u obviously dont have a clue what your talking about. yess we know the mclaren is a great car, lewis is a great driver also. kovalienin is in virtually the same car and hes miles off the pace. What does it come down to..... driving skills his skill under braking are just amazing as were evident at the turn 6 shicane at hockenhein
Posted 04:13 22nd July 2008
Roberto Riccioni says...
I strongly agree that this was the finest weekend I've seen so far this Formula 1 season. Going on the the earlier post lets not forget that McClaren are still under punishment sactions and working in a restricted pit garage. Kind of like putting Man Utd in a 3rd division stadium. No disrespect to the smaller teams, but McClaren are on top of their game.
Posted 22:48 21st July 2008
Sunny Dhillon says...
What a fantastic drive from the brit...A job well done and also he deserved it after performing well in qualifying.Thumbs up to the mclaren team also.way to go lewis.
Posted 20:53 21st July 2008
Clark Jones says...
This was definitely Lewis' best performance and will undoubtedly boost his confidence. It was like watching Schumacer when he was at his pique for Renault, his ability to overtake his rivals showed real class. I haven't seen anyone drive like that for years. That was a real championship winning performance I hope he can continue this form for the rest of the season.
Posted 19:12 21st July 2008
Scott W says...
Mr Keates what are you talking about - neither Lewis's team mate nor the ferrari's could get near Hamiltons pace in germany or GB - that's not the car that is the driver - granted put any body in a honda and they will under perform - but hamilton is the class of the top two teams by a long way
Posted 17:35 21st July 2008
Mem Nicholaides says...
With reference to the procession argument levied at Formula 1, it is the same in every sport in every country. You have the elite leaders and then you have the others. Being the best has to be worked at, this attitude of trying to knock over the biggest and best is what has made this country the depressing place it is today. Quote from the armchair critic - "We should put the best drivers in the worst cars and then see what happens" - moron!!!
Posted 17:28 21st July 2008
Bob A. says...
I have something to say about f1,I think its has now become an interesting sport to watch after Schumi.I used not to watch it because it was always Schumi winning it was like no compitition there.And the people who are saying maclaren is using ferrari information to have a good car, why then is Hamilton passing the ferraris ? it does not make asny sense at all,the guy is just good, and I believe, hes going to be there for long and to be champion more than once.The guy is scaring the ferraris.
Posted 16:56 21st July 2008
Mark Keates says...
I appreciate Lewis is a good driver but to be fair he is in a great car the other being the cars of Kimi and Massa, what would happen if was to driver a Honda etc. Its like putting Ronney in West Ham they wouldnt win the league with him in the team, F 1 a part from the top two teams the rest are making the numbers up. Ok BMW are close but the rest of the teams are nothing the only action a part from Silverstone is when the safety cars are out. Used to love F ! but it is a bore at the minute itv might as well Lewis Hamilton hats as Brundle and James Allen only ever talk about Lewis and Mclaren.
Posted 15:14 21st July 2008
Noel Greig says...
Absolute quality, Lewis will win the championship this year !! What a car what a driver !!
Posted 10:22 21st July 2008
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