Lewis Hamilton pays for impatience at Italian GP 2010
The 2007 champion and McLaren Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton apologized to his off track well wishers after the Briton crashed out in the earlier stages of the Italian Grand Prix last Sunday.
Lewis admitted that the team did not play its cards correctly, gambling with the set up of his McLaren and deemed it a better choice had he followed Button’s specifications. The British driver was leading the driver’s standings prior to this race weekend and failed to cement his title credentials after qualifying fifth on the grid behind title contenders Mark Webber in fourth while Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso occupied the front row.
It wasn’t a question that Monza provided little hope for a McLaren Mercedes driver and despite being Ferrari’s ‘home race’, the McLarens looked in contention as both teams constantly pecked away at each other during all three qualifying sessions. It was plain and simple that if there were anybody to question the might of the Italian Ferrari, it was likely to be spearheaded by Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. The first qualifying session saw Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso on the front row, followed by a McLaren second row. The second qualifying session finished with Fernando Alonso at the top while Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton finished second and third respectively (Massa was fourth). The final qualifying session featured Fernando Alonso yet again on pole while Jenson Button and Felipe Massa filled up the podium places. Qualifying behind fourth place Mark Webber was a further insult to injury for Hamilton’s title aspirations.
The race started out brightly for Lewis Hamilton, overtaking his closest title rival on the long run down to the first chicane. Things however weren’t as rosy when he looked to make his move on third place Massa at the second chicane. The McLaren driver opted to take the inside line on the Ferrari ahead of him and as things got too close for comfort, contact was imminent. The front wheel of Hamilton’s car caught the left rear of Massa’s car – leading to a broken suspension and immediate retirement for the McLaren.
“But I put my car up the inside of Felipe trying to get third, and that was probably a little bit too much. I was trying to position the car in a certain way, but I was too close to Felipe and his left rear clipped my right front.” claimed the former champion.
The Briton admitted that he was a touch hasty in his attempts to make up for his mediocre grid place and after snatching fourth spot from Webber, it was better to bid his time and make his move when the opportunity presented itself. It was after all, a long race and adopting the ‘Sebastian Vettel’ approach to the predicament was rather careless.
“It's a shame, and I want to say sorry to the team. But the championship certainly isn't over, although I have to admit that days like this one don't help."
This was Lewis Hamilton’s second retirement in three races. While he was able to claim pole at the Belgian Grand Prix, coming up with either a full 25 or a downright zero is clearly the wrong route to his quest of attaining Formula One glory.
However, despite the hiccup, the British driver finds himself still in with a shout as he only slipped one spot down in the overall championship and a mere five points behind Mark Webber.
"I'm obviously very fortunate everyone didn't score the best. We're still in a fighting position, so we could afford one mistake.”
These comments reflect a far more mature Hamilton as compared to the previous seasons. The McLaren Mercedes driver admitted that it was pointless to dwell on what has already happened and the best way from here on in would be to look ahead, remain positive and most importantly stay hungry. After all, despite the high standards that this young driver has set for himself, it is only fair to take a leaf out of his book and remain patient if you’re an admirer of the lad. And it wouldn’t be too farfetched reminding oneself that at the end of the day, he’s only human.
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