Lewis Hamilton says his landmark two 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 house Lando Norris, and Hamilton crossing the road almost 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 components of the race.
“I believe out of pure tempo, we weren’t [quick enough],” Hamilton mentioned. “Sadly, we’re nonetheless not, in sizzling situations significantly… 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 believed at that time that possibly I used to be in for an opportunity of at the very least 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 automotive began to point out, on these tires. However we clearly received the undercut and observe place is clearly key on this observe. And I believe that basically finally made the distinction.”
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The consequence sees Hamilton turn into the primary driver to realize 200 podium finishes in Components 1, extending a document he presently holds over Michael Schumacher. Whereas the 39-year-old says the milestone isn’t vital to him, he says it was a particular podium consequence 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 [Piastri and Norris] and the way younger these guys are. They had been in nappies once I began!
“No, actually, it simply makes me take into consideration the entire journey and all the good folks I’ve had the prospect to work with.
“I received signed by McLaren once I was 13 and so there was all the time a lot love for that workforce and thru the journey that we had, the place I had my first world championship after which they went by way of a extremely troublesome time. So to see them again up there may be actually, actually nice. I’m actually completely happy. That’s my outdated household, so actually, actually grateful to be up right here with them.
“Then finally I believe it was a troublesome race and I undoubtedly didn’t assume I might be having 200 podiums however what have I accomplished? Like 340 one thing races? So, not too dangerous a rating however I couldn’t have accomplished it with out all these nice those who I’ve labored with in each these groups.”
