Hamilton still smiling after awful weekend

Sports / Motor Racing

Hamilton still smiling after awful weekend

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-07-23 16:06

NUERBURGRING, Germany, July 22 - Formula One championship leader Lewis
Hamilton said he had learned 10 times more in Sunday's nightmare European
Grand Prix than in nine previous podiums.

Britain's red-hot rookie saw his astonishing run of successes halted with
ninth place and his 12-point championship lead cut to two. He also
suffered bruises from a heavy crash in qualifying and ended up in the
gravel on Sunday.

"I came here completely sick, had one of the biggest crashes I ever had,
then got a puncture, went into the gravel, it started to rain -- it was
really a great weekend in terms of learning," Hamilton said with a smile.

"I really feel I've made a big step in terms of experience," he added. "I
learned 10 times as much in the last race today ... overall, I enjoyed
the race."

The irrepressible 22-year-old was passed fit only on Sunday morning after
emerging without serious injury from a high speed crash into a tyre wall
on Saturday. He was carried off on a stretcher.

"I was just in pain in my chest, very painful," he said. "I've got this
big bruise this morning."

Appearing in the paddock after the race as friendly and affable as he has
been all season, Hamilton only seemed slightly annoyed about a series of
repeated "podium" questions.

"I told you from Day One that was going to happen eventually," he said
when asked about the end of his streak that includes two wins.

Only two drivers, team mate Fernando Alonso and the retired Michael
Schumacher, have racked up more successive finishes in the top three.

"That's racing. You know, you can't have a perfect racing day race after
race. It doesn't feel strange (not being on podium)," he said. "I told
you it's inevitable that someday I'm not going to finish on the podium.
So I was ready for it."

Hamilton started 10th and surged to fourth place despite heavy rain
before suffering a slow puncture that sent him back down the field. He
then joined a half dozen drivers who skidded off on the third lap.

He kept the engine running and was lifted back onto the track by crane to
continue for the re-start -- but a lap behind.

"It was difficult for me because I went out straight away with a new car,
everything completely new after yesterday's crash -- without even knowing
the car's right," he said.

"It's all new to me. I pushed. I never give up. I pushed right to the
last lap."

Considering the circumstances, Hamiton's position was still a fine
result. He battled back from last place with quick laps. He said if he
not been obliged to let team mate Alonso and Ferrari's Felipe Massa lap
him, he would have got a point.

"I think overall I must have lost something like 10 seconds. Without that
I would have scored some points."

Hamilton has 70 points, two ahead of Alonso.

"It's always a good thing when you are still leading the championship,
and with seven races left there's still a long way to go," he said.

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