Lewis Hamilton says his landmark 2 hundredth podium in Components 1 doesn’t overshadow the truth that Mercedes nonetheless struggles in excessive temperatures, after ending third within the Hungarian Grand Prix.
McLaren took a one-two for the primary time in three years with Oscar Piasti main dwelling Lando Norris, and Hamilton crossing the road almost 15 seconds adrift of the race-winner. Though Hamilton was in a position to battle with Max Verstappen and completed forward of the Purple Bull after a late collision between the 2, he says it was technique that put him in that place and the uncooked efficiency was missing within the latter components of the race.
“I believe out of pure tempo, we weren’t [quick enough],” Hamilton stated. “Sadly, we’re nonetheless not, in scorching circumstances significantly… You noticed in Austria and right here, we’re not in a position to sustain with these guys.
“However in stint one, I used to be actually shocked to see that I used to be in a position to maintain on to Max. And I wasn’t even having to push too exhausting to remain round a second behind him. So I believed at that time that perhaps I used to be in for an opportunity of not less than preventing for that place.
“However then within the second stint, it was a little bit of a catastrophe, it didn’t really feel good. And the true tempo of the automobile began to point out, on these tires. However we clearly acquired the undercut and observe place is clearly key on this observe. And I believe that basically finally made the distinction.”
The end result sees Hamilton turn into the primary driver to attain 200 podium finishes in Components 1, extending a file he at present holds over Michael Schumacher. Whereas the 39-year-old says the milestone isn’t vital to him, he says it was a particular podium end result when it comes to reflecting on the 2 groups which have helped him attain such a quantity.
“The quantity doesn’t, no. I simply take into consideration these two [Piastri and Norris] and the way younger these guys are. They have been in nappies once I began!
“No, actually, it simply makes me take into consideration the entire journey and all the nice individuals I’ve had the possibility to work with.
“I acquired signed by McLaren once I was 13 and so there was at all times a lot love for that group and thru the journey that we had, the place I had my first world championship after which they went by way of a extremely tough time. So to see them again up there’s actually, actually nice. I’m actually blissful. That’s my previous household, so actually, actually grateful to be up right here with them.
“Then finally I believe it was a troublesome race and I positively didn’t suppose I might be having 200 podiums however what have I executed? Like 340 one thing races? So, not too unhealthy a rating however I couldn’t have executed it with out all these nice those that I’ve labored with in each these groups.”
