Hamilton gains from Ferrari victory
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was overtaken for the first time in his Formula One career on Sunday but still stretched his championship lead to 14 points.The 22-year-old British rookie finished third behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa in the...
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was overtaken for the first time in his Formula One career on Sunday but still stretched his championship lead to 14 points.
The 22-year-old British rookie finished third behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa in the French Grand Prix, taking his eighth successive podium finish in a race that boosted his title chances even though it dashed his hopes of a third win in a row. Raikkonen's return to form will cost Hamilton little sleep in the run-up to his home British Grand Prix next weekend, with the Finn still 22 points behind the youngster in the overall standings. McLaren team mate and double world champion Fernando Alonso remains Hamilton's closest rival and the Spaniard could finish only seventh.
"I am not disappointed," Hamilton said of a race in which he started second but was passed at the start by Raikkonen's Ferrari.
"I don't like being overtaken but that's the same for everyone and this is the first race that I've been overtaken. It was inevitable at some point but the fact is that we have finished on the podium again and we are the most consistent team and I think we are doing a better job," added Hamilton, whose season continues to amaze with every race. You can't win every race and the most important thing is that you are consistent, which I think we are...I don't think they (Ferrari) were as quick as they looked today."
Team boss Ron Dennis agreed, describing the race as "damage limitation from beginning to end".
"Our weekend was difficult from the beginning," he said. "We had a scrappy Friday practice and didn't really get the cars very well balanced. We had to look after our engines this weekend, we were a little bit nervous about some of the parameters on the engines,"he added.
Dennis said the team switched Hamilton to a strategy to guarantee him third place, recognising that it would be impossible to overtake the Ferraris.
"Obviously we are delighted that Kimi won over Massa," he added, referring to the Brazilian who would have been just one point behind Alonso had he won but instead is third overall on 47 points.
"We flattered them (Ferrari) this weekend. They did a good job and probably improved the car a little but we made them look a lot better than they were. Hopefully we will demonstrate that in Silverstone." (Reuters)
The 22-year-old British rookie finished third behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa in the French Grand Prix, taking his eighth successive podium finish in a race that boosted his title chances even though it dashed his hopes of a third win in a row. Raikkonen's return to form will cost Hamilton little sleep in the run-up to his home British Grand Prix next weekend, with the Finn still 22 points behind the youngster in the overall standings. McLaren team mate and double world champion Fernando Alonso remains Hamilton's closest rival and the Spaniard could finish only seventh.
"I am not disappointed," Hamilton said of a race in which he started second but was passed at the start by Raikkonen's Ferrari.
"I don't like being overtaken but that's the same for everyone and this is the first race that I've been overtaken. It was inevitable at some point but the fact is that we have finished on the podium again and we are the most consistent team and I think we are doing a better job," added Hamilton, whose season continues to amaze with every race. You can't win every race and the most important thing is that you are consistent, which I think we are...I don't think they (Ferrari) were as quick as they looked today."
Team boss Ron Dennis agreed, describing the race as "damage limitation from beginning to end".
"Our weekend was difficult from the beginning," he said. "We had a scrappy Friday practice and didn't really get the cars very well balanced. We had to look after our engines this weekend, we were a little bit nervous about some of the parameters on the engines,"he added.
Dennis said the team switched Hamilton to a strategy to guarantee him third place, recognising that it would be impossible to overtake the Ferraris.
"Obviously we are delighted that Kimi won over Massa," he added, referring to the Brazilian who would have been just one point behind Alonso had he won but instead is third overall on 47 points.
"We flattered them (Ferrari) this weekend. They did a good job and probably improved the car a little but we made them look a lot better than they were. Hopefully we will demonstrate that in Silverstone." (Reuters)