Lewis Hamilton says his landmark 2 hundredth podium in System 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 house Lando Norris, and Hamilton crossing the road practically 15 seconds adrift of the race-winner. Though Hamilton was capable of 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 elements of the race.
“I believe out of pure tempo, we weren’t ,” Hamilton stated. “Sadly, we’re nonetheless not, in scorching circumstances notably… You noticed in Austria and right here, we’re not capable of sustain with these guys.
“However in stint one, I used to be actually shocked to see that I used to be capable of maintain on to Max. And I wasn’t even having to push too laborious to remain round a second behind him. So I assumed at that time that perhaps I used to be in for an opportunity of at the very least combating 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 indicate, on these tires. However we clearly obtained the undercut and observe place is clearly key on this observe. And I believe that actually in the end made the distinction.”
The outcome sees Hamilton develop into the primary driver to attain 200 podium finishes in System 1, extending a report he at present holds over Michael Schumacher. Whereas the 39-year-old says the milestone isn’t necessary to him, he says it was a particular podium outcome by way of 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 and the way younger these guys are. They had been in nappies after I began!
“No, truthfully, it simply makes me take into consideration the entire journey and all the nice folks I’ve had the possibility to work with.
“I obtained signed by McLaren after I was 13 and so there was all the time a lot love for that staff and thru the journey that we had, the place I had my first world championship after which they went by means of a very 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 in the end I believe it was a tricky race and I undoubtedly didn’t suppose I’d be having 200 podiums however what have I carried out? Like 340 one thing races? So, not too unhealthy a rating however I couldn’t have carried out it with out all these nice people who I’ve labored with in each these groups.”
