Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes/2): “Almost forgotten” / Formula 1

Finally it was our favorite Lewis Hamilton again: second place for the seven-time Formula 1 world champion in an entertaining race from China, after a performance that was worth seeing.

The 39-year-old Mercedes driver drove an impressive race and looks happy after 19 laps at the Shanghai International Circuit: “I almost forgot what it feels like to lead the race!”

Hamilton started better than pole man Lando Norris and then widened his elbows: “I went down better than Lando and stayed inside, he tried his luck on the outside. We were both at the limit, then he ran out.”

“If you get too far into the first corner, you end up on the dirt track and you slide off the track with the undercarriage. That’s what happened to Lando. He should have picked up the pace more intelligently and got into the lane behind me. McLaren is faster than us, he would have been and time enough to catch me later.”

The fans rubbed their eyes: Hamilton was leading, seemingly heading for victory. When was the last time Lewis won a Formula 1 race? It was December 5, 2021 in Saudi Arabia.

Lewis continued: “So I was in front and I had to make an effort not to give Alonso a chance behind me. I’m happy that I was able to lead the race again, but it was clear to me that at some point Verstappen would be coming from behind.”

“We are still weak in the slow corners and today was no different. I had no chance against Verstappen, he is in a different league. I am grateful for this second place, but I also know that 90 percent of that chance came because of the rain on Friday in qualifying for a long race. It’s not like we have a completely different car today. Our problems are still the same.”

Interesting: Lewis Hamilton has never won a sprint.

Sprint, Shanghai International Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 32:04,160 minutes
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +13,043 sec
03. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +15,258
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +17,486
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,696
06. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +22.099
07. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +24.713
08. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +25,696
09. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +31,951
10. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +37.398
11. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, +37,840
12. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, +38.295
13. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +39,841
14. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +40,299
15. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +40,838
16. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +41,870
17. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +42,998
18. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +46,352
19. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +49,630
outside
Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, tire damage

World Championship Position (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix and 1 out of 6 Sprints)

the driver
01. Verstappen 85 points
02. Perez 70
03. Leclerc 64
04. Sainz 59
05. Norris 40
06. Plate 34
07. Russell 25
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 17
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Racing Red Bull 155 Punkte
02. Ferrari 129
03. McLaren 74
04. Mercedes 42
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0