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Lewis Hamilton hoping for ‘clean weekend’ at the Hungarian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton hoping for ‘clean weekend’ at the Hungarian Grand Prix
(30 days later)
After a weekend where he managed to turn disaster into a form of triumphant damage limitation, Lewis Hamilton is eager to maximise his position and change his luck in the title fight with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg at next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.After a weekend where he managed to turn disaster into a form of triumphant damage limitation, Lewis Hamilton is eager to maximise his position and change his luck in the title fight with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg at next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton ran a superb comeback drive at the German Grand Prix on Sunday, moving from 20th on the grid to finish third behind Rosberg – whom he now trails in the title race by 14 points – and the Williams of Valtteri Bottas.Hamilton ran a superb comeback drive at the German Grand Prix on Sunday, moving from 20th on the grid to finish third behind Rosberg – whom he now trails in the title race by 14 points – and the Williams of Valtteri Bottas.
His starting position at the back had been caused by a brake disc failure that led to a nasty accident and knocked the British driver out of qualifying, itself coming after two errors during the single-lap test at the previous two grands prix.His starting position at the back had been caused by a brake disc failure that led to a nasty accident and knocked the British driver out of qualifying, itself coming after two errors during the single-lap test at the previous two grands prix.
He is hopeful that in Hungary he can break the pattern and begin the race at least close to Rosberg. “A clean weekend is what I am looking for,” he said. “Some points, going into the [summer] break to get some rest time and then get back into the last part of the season. Maybe I will go and rub the Buddha’s belly or whatever it is. Try all the different religions to change my luck.He is hopeful that in Hungary he can break the pattern and begin the race at least close to Rosberg. “A clean weekend is what I am looking for,” he said. “Some points, going into the [summer] break to get some rest time and then get back into the last part of the season. Maybe I will go and rub the Buddha’s belly or whatever it is. Try all the different religions to change my luck.
“I am going there to win. I came to this weekend with the right mentality and right preparation to have won. I just don’t want any bad luck. I just hope the car sticks together and we do a great job. I never like to win easily I don’t want it easy. Some don’t mind that. I do like a challenge.”“I am going there to win. I came to this weekend with the right mentality and right preparation to have won. I just don’t want any bad luck. I just hope the car sticks together and we do a great job. I never like to win easily I don’t want it easy. Some don’t mind that. I do like a challenge.”
Hamilton has a good record in Hungary, having won there four times since he entered F1 in 2007, including the last two races, and will be hopeful that if he can position his Mercedes on the front row he will be able to lead or pass Rosberg, with less of a challenge than he has set himself in the past three races.Hamilton has a good record in Hungary, having won there four times since he entered F1 in 2007, including the last two races, and will be hopeful that if he can position his Mercedes on the front row he will be able to lead or pass Rosberg, with less of a challenge than he has set himself in the past three races.
Toto Wolff, the head of motorsport at Mercedes, warned that the competition between Hamilton and Rosberg may come down to which driver can run to the finish most frequently this season and that it would be very tough on whoever was runner-up.Toto Wolff, the head of motorsport at Mercedes, warned that the competition between Hamilton and Rosberg may come down to which driver can run to the finish most frequently this season and that it would be very tough on whoever was runner-up.
“I think retirements are going to play a crucial role,” he said in Hockenheim. “The racing between the two is so close so I would be very surprised if it doesn’t come down to Abu Dhabi – to the famous double points. Because even if you are 30 points behind you can turn it around in Abu Dhabi.”“I think retirements are going to play a crucial role,” he said in Hockenheim. “The racing between the two is so close so I would be very surprised if it doesn’t come down to Abu Dhabi – to the famous double points. Because even if you are 30 points behind you can turn it around in Abu Dhabi.”
The double points he refers to are the controversial increase in points for the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Wolff was sticking to his dislike of the rule, stating “No I don’t think it is fair and I don’t think we should have done it”. However, he was also concerned it would be a harsh way to be beaten to the title. Winning through double points would not be a problem, but losing would be different. “I don’t think the winner will care but the one who might lose the title on double points might need some psychological treatment,” he said.The double points he refers to are the controversial increase in points for the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Wolff was sticking to his dislike of the rule, stating “No I don’t think it is fair and I don’t think we should have done it”. However, he was also concerned it would be a harsh way to be beaten to the title. Winning through double points would not be a problem, but losing would be different. “I don’t think the winner will care but the one who might lose the title on double points might need some psychological treatment,” he said.
Felipe Massa, who is having a season of poor luck, has fully recovered from the accident that saw his Williams roll over when clipped by the McLaren of Kevin Magnussen going into the first corner. “Luckily I am OK, but I am not happy,” he said. “I was in front going into the corner and so to have another race ended by another driver is not easy. I am doing my best, the team are doing their best, and we just aren’t getting the chances we need.”Felipe Massa, who is having a season of poor luck, has fully recovered from the accident that saw his Williams roll over when clipped by the McLaren of Kevin Magnussen going into the first corner. “Luckily I am OK, but I am not happy,” he said. “I was in front going into the corner and so to have another race ended by another driver is not easy. I am doing my best, the team are doing their best, and we just aren’t getting the chances we need.”
Despite this, his team are enjoying their best season for some time. Bottas’s excellent drive for second put the team into third place in the constructors’ championship, five points ahead of Ferrari, and the deputy team principal, Claire Williams, believes her squad have the ability to challenge Red Bull for the second spot. “Red Bull are only 67 points ahead of us and they are in P2,” she said. “With the current points system there is no reason why we can’t be fighting for P2 this year.” Despite this, his team are enjoying their best season for some time. Bottas’s excellent drive for second put the team into third place in the constructors’ championship, five points ahead of Ferrari, and the deputy team principal, Claire Williams, believes her squad have the ability to challenge Red Bull for the second spot. “Red Bull are only 67 points ahead of us and they are in P2,” she said. “With the current points system there is no reason why we can’t be fighting for P2 this year.”
They have certainly undergone a radical change for the better this season. Bottas’s haul of 91 points is more than the team as a whole have scored in one season since 2003, which was the last time they finished second in the constructors’ championship.They have certainly undergone a radical change for the better this season. Bottas’s haul of 91 points is more than the team as a whole have scored in one season since 2003, which was the last time they finished second in the constructors’ championship.
“There is no reason why we shouldn’t continue doing what we are doing now and build on the consistency that we have now,” said Williams. “I definitely think that we can keep this momentum going.” The team last won the title in 1997.“There is no reason why we shouldn’t continue doing what we are doing now and build on the consistency that we have now,” said Williams. “I definitely think that we can keep this momentum going.” The team last won the title in 1997.