CHARLES LECLERC (FERRARI) HAS WON THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX, WITH VALTTERI BOTTAS (MERCEDES) COMING SECOND, AND LEWIS HAMILTON (MERCEDES) COMING THIRD – MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL…!!
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On an exciting start with Max Verstappen in the lead and Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton second and third respectively,
the first few laps of the Hungarian Grand Prix 2019 were certainly action-packed,
with Lewis Hamilton overtaking Valtteri early doors, moving into second place, and Valtteri moving into third.
Although there was much action further down the field (not least the skilful team over-take from the Torro Rosso boys, who were within millimetres of one another) from then on, it was more or less a two-horse race between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, which later became an exciting and skilful duel.
There was much deliberation about strategy throughout the race, who was to pit and when, and with which tyres, which ultimately culminated in Lewis following Max into the final stages of the race with fresh medium tyres, after having pitted later in the race, and Max running on empty with more or less no grip after pitting much earlier.
This meant that after several exciting attempts (with valiant defense from Max),
Lewis took the lead in dramatic fashion on lap 67 with his much fresher tyres. It was homeward bound for Lewis from thereonin, as he sailed passed the finish line in 1.35.03.796
It was a spectacular race, which should certainly silence the critics who say that Formula 1 is anything other than enthralling, exciting, edge of your seat stuff…!
Many Congratulations Lewis And To Your Team!
(And Also To Max And All At Red Bull For Such An Exciting Race…!)
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CONGRATULATIONS TO RED BULLS’ MAX VERSTAPPEN WHO HAS WON THE GERMAN GRAND PRIX.
SEBASTIAN VETTEL FROM FERRARI WHO CAME SECOND, AND TORO ROSSO’S DANIIL KVYAT WHO CAME THIRD! MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO DANIIL ALSO WHO HAS JUST BECOME A FATHER TO A BABY GIRL…!
LEWIS HADN’T LOOKED WELL ALL WEEKEND – AS YOU CAN SEE IN THESE INTERVIEWS (ABOVE – AFTER THE RACE, AND BELOW – AFTER QUALIFYING) BUT WE HOPE HE WILL FEEL BETTER AND BE BACK ON TOP FORM FOR THIS WEEKEND’S GRAND PRIX IN HUNGARY…!
LEWIS’ BOSS AT MERCEDES TOTO WOLFF CONFIRMED THAT LEWIS HAD BEEN UNWELL AFTER THE RACE WHEN HE SAID; “HE WASN’T HEALTHY FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND, BUT HE DID THE MOST HE COULD TO GET HIMSELF IN AN OK PLACE FOR THE RACE. MANY OF US WOULDN’T HAVE CONSIDERED BEING IN A RACE CAR. YOU CAN’T BE PHYSICALLY IN YOUR BEST GAME WHEN YOU’VE BEEN ILL FOR A FEW DAYS.”
ALTHOUGH HE DID LOOK UNDER-THE-WEATHER, LEWIS HIMSELF DIDN’T USE ILLNESS AS AN EXCUSE, POINTING MAINLY TO THE TESTING WEATHER CONDITIONS, SAYING “WE PULL TOGETHER AND REGROUP ” AND SAID THAT HE WILL BOUNCE BACK FOR THIS WEEKEND’S RACE IN HUNGARY, ADDING “WE ARE STILL DOING PRETTY AWESOME….!”
IT IS SAID THAT LEWIS HAS NOW CANCELLED ALL ENGAGEMENTS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AND IS HEADING HOME TO REST AND RECOVER FOR THIS WEEKEND’S RACE IN HUNGARY.
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MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO LEWIS HAMILTON WHO HAS TRIUMPHED AT THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX AT SILVERSTONE WINNING IN 1.27.3691 (AND ALSO FASTEST OVERALL LAP), WITH VALTTERI BOTTAS COMING SECOND IN 1.27.4061, AND CHARLES LECLERC THIRD IN 1.29.3131…!
FORMULA 1 2019 BRITISH GRAND PRIX – TOP 3 POST-RACE INTERVIEWS
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ON A BOILING HOT DAY IN FRANCE ON SUNDAY 23 JUNE 2019, LEWIS HAMILTON TRIUMPHED, LEADING FROM START TO FINISH AT THE FRENCH GRAND PRIX FOR MERCEDES, STORMING OVER THE LINE IN 01:24:31.198, WITH TEAM-MATE VALTTERI BOTTAS COMING SECOND IN 01:24:49.254, AND CHARLES LECLERC OF FERRARI THIRD IN 01:24:50.183…!
LEWIS CROSSED THE LINE 18 SECONDS AHEAD OF VALTTERI AND IT WAS THE EIGHTH VICTORY OF 2019 AND 6TH 1-2 FOR MERCEDES. THIS NOW PUTS LEWIS 36 POINTS AHEAD OF VALTTERI.
SEBASTIAN VETTEL QUALIFIED IN SEVENTH POSITION THE DAY BEFORE, BUT FINISHED FIFTH ON THE DAY, ATTAINING THE FASTEST LAP OF THE RACE.
LANDO NORRIS SUFFERED A HYDRAULICS PROBLEM, MEANING THAT HIS STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY AND WITH OTHER ASSOCIATED ISSUES, THE END OF HIS RACE WAS QUITE SCARY,
BUT HE PLOUGHED ON, TRYING HIS BEST TO FOCUS AND KEEP HIS SPEED ANYWAY, FINISHING TENTH, AND DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB THAT HE EARNED THE ‘DRIVER OF THE DAY’ AWARD!
LEWIS RACED LIKE LIGHTNING THROUGHOUT – SEEMINGLY UNCHALLENGED BY ANYONE AT ANY POINT REALLY – CRUISING A FEW SECONDS AHEAD OF VALTTERI FOR MUCH OF THE RACE,
EVENTUALLY EMERGING FROM HIS CAR COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED AT THE END, WHERE HE SAID; “IT’S DEFINITELY BEEN A REALLY GOOD WEEKEND.
I’VE BEEN RACING A LONG, LONG TIME AND IT JUST NEVER GETS OLD AND IT’S ALWAYS SUCH A CHALLENGE OUT THERE AND I JUST LOVE THAT, TRYING TO REALLY FIND THE EDGE AND JUST BRIDGING THE GAP AND REALLY BEING ON TOP OF THIS MACHINE.
BUT I COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT THIS INCREDIBLE TEAM, THIS GROUP OF GUYS HERE.
AND ALL THE GUYS BACK AT THE FACTORY, WE’RE CREATING HISTORY TOGETHER AND I’M SO PROUD OF EVERYONE,
I’M SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS TEAM, THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE AND VALTTERI DID A GOOD JOB THIS WEEKEND AS WELL.”
AS THIS WAS ANOTHER COMFORTABLE WIN FOR LEWIS, SOME PEOPLE HAVE SINCE DUBBED THE SPORT ‘BORING’.
AS THE MOST EXPERIENCED DRIVER IN THE SPORT, LEWIS HAS SINCE FELT COMPELLED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, AND WENT TO MEET WITH F1 BOSSES
(ARMED WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS FROM HIS SPORTING PEERS, AND MANY OF HIS OWN) IN PARIS TO DISCUSS HOW TO IMPROVE RACING IN GENERAL. SOME OF THE IDEAS WERE AS FOLLOWS:-
1) CONSULTING F1 DRIVERS ON THE RULE CHANGES FOR 2021, ASKING THEM FOR FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSALS
2) BANNING TEAMS FROM INTERFERING IN THE RULE-MAKING PROCESS TO ENSURE THEIR INTERESTS DO NOT CLOUD THEIR JUDGEMENT
3) MAKING THE RULEBOOK ADAPTABLE RATHER THAN SET IN STONE FOR FIVE YEARS WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF TWEAKS
4) SCRAPPING PROPOSED PLANS TO MAKE F1 CARS EVEN HEAVIER AND SLOWER
5) WORKING WITH PIRELLI TO ENSURE DRIVERS CAN PUSH THEIR TYRES ON EVERY SINGLE LAP RATHER THAN NURSING THEM THROUGH A RACE
OF THE MEETING, LEWIS SAID “I’D ALWAYS BEEN KIND OF QUIET. THERE WERE A LOT OF OUTSPOKEN PEOPLE OVER YEARS IN DRIVERS’ BRIEFINGS BUT I FELT LIKE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE’VE ALL ALIGNED AS DRIVERS.
I ALSO REALISED THE POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITY I HAVE AS THE DRIVER WITH THE MOST CHAMPIONSHIPS.
IT HAS A MEANING WHEN IT COMES TO SPEAKING TO THE FIA. IF THEY LISTEN AT ALL TO ANY OF US, IT IS THE DRIVERS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER, WHO HAVE TRULY EXPERIENCED DIFFERENT TYRES AND DIFFERENT AERO PACKAGES, AND HOPEFULLY HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING. I SEE THE MESS THAT WE’RE IN, I SEE IT EVERY YEAR.
I’VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME AND I’D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK AND SAY I WAS A PART OF HELPING THAT POSITIVE CHANGE FOR THE FANS THAT ARE WATCHING FORMULA ONE,
NOT JUST A DRIVER AND THE TITLES, BUT SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY CARED ABOUT THE SPORT.”
IT IS SAID THAT ROSS BRAWN (WHO IS FORMULA 1′s SPORTING BOSS) HAS SINCE SAID HE “CAN’T WAIT” TO WORK TOGETHER WITH LEWIS AND THE OTHER DRIVERS AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SCHEDULING IN MORE MEETINGS
AND SAID TO LEWIS “TO SUM UP LEWIS, WE ARE DELIGHTED WITH YOURS AND ALL OF THE DRIVERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS.”
AND FOR ANYONE IN THE RACING WORLD WHO THINKS THAT WE AT HOME THINK THAT RACING IS GETTING BORING – WE DON’T – WE LOVE IT!!
IT’S GREAT TO WATCH THE MAGNIFICENT RESULTS OF SHEER
DEDICATION, SKILL, COMMITMENT AND TEAM-WORK…!
SO ROLL ON AUSTRIA – WHICH TAKES PLACE THIS WEEKEND ON THE 30TH JUNE- IT SHOULD BE A GREAT RACE!
© Amanda Waters
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LEWIS HAMILTON WON THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX AFTER A MINOR CLASH BETWEEN SEBASTIAN VETTEL AND HIMSELF, WHICH COST SEBASTIAN A FIVE SECOND PENALTY.
SEBASTIAN HAD GAINED POLE POSITION THE DAY BEFORE –
AND BOTH DRIVER’S WERE ON SPECTACULAR FORM.
SEBASTIAN FELT THE FIVE SECOND PENALTY WAS UNWARRANTED AND HAS NOT FELT HAPPY ABOUT IT AND IT HAS SINCE SPARKED MAJOR CONTROVERSY.
BUT THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THERE IS NO BAD BLOOD BETWEEN THEM WHICH WAS OBVIOUS ON THE PODIUM AFTERWARDS
AND THAT’S MORE POWERFUL THAN ANY TROPHY – MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU ON YOUR SUPERB SPORTING SPIRIT…!
© Amanda Waters
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MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO LEWIS HAMILTON WHO HAS STORMED TO VICTORY AT THE MONACO GRAND PRIX, AND IMMEDIATELY DEDICATED HIS WIN TO NIKI LAUDA…!
A TRIBUTE TO NIKI LAUDA
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LEWIS HAMILTON HAS TRIUMPHED AT THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX AND DEDICATED HIS WIN TO INSPIRATION FROM HIS FRIEND HARRY SHAW!
MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO LEWIS HAMILTON WHO HAS WON THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX…!
IT WAS ANOTHER MERCEDES ONE-TWO YESTERDAY IN BARCELONA
WITH LEWIS COMING FIRST IN 1:35.50.443, VALTTERI BOTTAS SECOND, RED BULL’S MAX VERSTAPPEN THIRD, FERRARI’S SEBASTIAN VETTEL FOURTH, AND FERRARI’S CHARLES LE CLERC FIFTH…!
LEWIS SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN TOTALLY INSPIRED BY A YOUNG BOY NAMED HARRY SHAW’S WORDS TO HIM ON THE MORNING WHEN HE WOKE UP FOR THE RACE IN SPAIN AS HE WAS FEELING A BIT DOWN. HARRY HASN’T BEEN FEELING VERY WELL OF LATE AND IS STILL FEELING A LITTLE UNDER THE WEATHER AND NOT VERY STRONG AT THE MOMENT. BUT HIS LOVELY WISHES GAVE LEWIS A SPRING IN HIS STEP.
LITTLE HARRY SHAW WISHED LEWIS LUCK BEFORE THE RACE, AND CONGRATULATED HIM AFTERWARDS FOR WINNING!
SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, HARRY RECEIVED A BIG SURPRISE
WHEN LEWIS HAMILTON SENT HIS CAR AROUND TO LITTLE HARRY’S HOUSE….!
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MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO LEWIS HAMILTON WHO HAS TRIUMPHED AT THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX IN 1.39.40.382, MAKING THIS THE 11TH WIN OF THE YEAR FOR LEWIS, AND HIS 73RD CAREER VICTORY!
SEBASTIAN VETTEL (FERRARI) CAME SECOND IN 1.39.42.963, AND MAX VERSTAPPEN (RED BULL) CAME THIRD IN 1.39.53.088
What a fantastic end to a successful season for Lewis Hamilton it was when he stormed to victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on a balmy evening at the spectacular Yas Marina Stadium. (Although at one point, it rained a little, which was unexpected, and had some scratching their heads over their choice of tyres.)
LEWIS HAMILTON & VALTTERI BOTTAS (BELOW)
Although entirely memorable because of Lewis’s usual outstanding experience and skill which is always dreamy, it was the scary coming together between Nico Hulkenberg and Romain Grosjean which will also stick in people’s minds.
Nico Hulkenberg made contact on the first lap with Romain Grosjean causing Nico to fly through the air, somersaulting one and a half times, and crashing into the barrier head-down, saved only by his halo. Whilst he was hanging there upside down, he could be heard saying over the radio “get me out, there’s fire, there’s fire.” Onlookers froze for what seemed like an eternity until there was some sign that Nico was ok, and thankfully, the marshalls and doctor were there in an instant and worked together at lightning speed to get him out, from an extremely tricky situation. (Although showing no fear at all for themselves, even though there had been fire coming from the car.)
NICO HULKENBERG CRASHES INTO THE BARRIER (BELOW)
Luckily the doctor quickly assessed that Nico wasn’t injured otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to move the car at all. Shortly afterwards, Nico emerged unscathed and went to get checked out at the medical centre where he was confirmed to have been “shaken”, but not physically injured. No penalties were given to either driver, with the incident deemed as a racing incident which can easily happen on the opening laps.
FERNANDO ALONSO AND HIS TEAM (BELOW)
It was also one of those events, where there were several drivers who were driving for their teams for the last time, some changing course and driving for others in future, and some coming to the ‘end of the road’ as it were. The charming Fernando Alonso was one of the latter, who was driving his last race. (His 312th!!)
When the race had ended, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Fernando Alonso spun around in synchronised ‘doughnuts’ after Lewis and Sebastian had driven either side of Alonso’s car along the track, to pay tribute to him.
FERNANDO ALONSO AND LEWIS HAMILTON “DOUGHNUTS”
It is fair to say that Fernando Alonso is a much loved character on the Grand Prix circuit, with the words ‘”Gentleman”, “Champion”, “Legend”, and “Friend” used to described him in the interviews after the race, which is understandable as his happy persona is infectious.
When the race had finished, Lewis said of Fernando “He is a true legend. Before he got to Formula One, I was admiring what he achieved. The sport will miss him.” And he went on to say “It’s been a privilege to be in an era where Alonso was racing.”
FERNANDO ALONSO AND LEWIS HAMILTON (BELOW)
Lewis Hamilton said of Sebastian Vettel after the race:- “It has been a real honour and privilege racing against Sebastian. He has always been a hard-working racing driver. He did a fantastic job this year. There is so much pressure, so don’t ever just look at our shortcomings. I know he is going to come back strong.”
LEWIS HAMILTON & SEBASTIAN VETTEL SWAP HELMETS AS A SIGN OF RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER
Sebastian Vettel also spoke after the race, saying:- “Lewis is the Champion and he deserves it. It has been a tough year. I tried everything until the last lap today. I enjoyed catching him a little bit, but he controlled the race.
LEWIS HAMILTON AND SEBASTIAN VETTEL (BELOW)
It has been a long year. We will try, and our whole team will try to come back stronger to give him a harder run next year.”
© Amanda Waters
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LEWIS HAMILTON HAS STORMED TO VICTORY WINNING HIS FIFTH WORLD TITLE AT THE MEXICO GRAND PRIX!!
MAX VERSTAPPEN WON THE RACE, WITH SEBASTIAN VETTEL 2ND AND KIMI RAIKKONEN 3RD. (WHO WERE EXTREMELY GRACIOUS AFTERWARDS.)
LEWIS SAID HE WAS VERY “HUMBLED” AFTER HIS FANTASTIC WIN
AFTER THE RACE LEWIS PAID TRIBUTE TO HIS FATHER AND HIS FAMILY, SAYING “IT ALL FEELS VERY SURREAL AT THE MOMENT. TO MY FAMILY BACK HOME – I LOVE YOU.”
“STILL I RISE” – A LOOK AT LEWIS HAMILTON’S LIFE AND HIS INSPIRATIONS
© Amanda Waters
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Lewis Hamilton has put out a statement on social media saying that Sebastian Vettel deserves more respect after his unfortunate mishap at the Japanese Grand Prix, when Sebastian and Max collided.
The Ferrari driver has seemingly come under much criticism for the error and Lewis was keen to defend him, saying: “I feel the media need to show a little more respect for Sebastian. You simply cannot imagine how hard it is to do what we do at our level, for any athlete at the top of their game that is. It is to be expected that being humans, we will make mistakes, but it is how we get through them that counts.”
© Amanda Waters
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LEWIS HAMILTON TRIUMPHS AT THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX!
Lewis Hamilton raced superbly from start to finish at the Japanese Grand Prix, which means he is now leading Sebastian Vettel by 67 points. Lewis started on pole position, and it was plain sailing for him for the whole race ending in triumph at Suzuka claiming his 71st Career Victory! When Lewis crossed the finish line he said to his team ” I love you guys, I love driving this car, thank you. I’m so happy.”
Unfortunately Sebastian Vettel’s race was not so good for him. He had an early collision with Max Verstappen at spoon corner on lap four and spun off the track, meaning that he had to navigate his way back through the field from 19th place, managing to finish only sixth.
Sebastian Vettel Didn’t Seem Quite The Ticket After The Race (Below)
This means that if Sebastian finishes lower than second in Austin in the US on 21st October, Lewis will secure his fifth World title.
Lewis Always Enjoys His Post-Race Celebrations, (Unfortunately For Everybody Else.)
Even though the title is tantalizingly within Lewis’s grasp now, he is still pragmatic saying “Honestly, I’ll take it one step at a time. Each week you have a positive weekend and you go to another Grand Prix and you’re not sure how you’re going to fare and how you’re going to perform, because there are still gaps in between. But I think we have gone from strength to strength this year as a team, so I hope that we can win.”
Lewis Hamilton, Followed By Team-Mate Valtteri Bottas, And Max Verstappen (Below)
“Austin is usually a good track for us” (Lewis has already won 6 titles in Austin) “So I can’t wait to unleash this beast there….!”
Lewis And “The Beast” – The Now Infamous Car No 44
MANY CONGRATULATIONS LEWIS – AND TO YOUR TEAM…!
© Amanda Waters
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LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX
Lewis Hamilton Has Won The Russian Grand Prix, After Being Requested To Overtake Valtteri Bottas, Who Came Second, On Team Orders. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel Finished Third, Which Means That Lewis’s World Championship Lead Now Extends To Over 50 Points!
Russian President Vladimir Putin Presents Lewis With His Cup
Lewis Hamilton And Sebastian Vettel In Conversation After The Race (Below)
‘We Are All Racers At Heart’ – Said Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Boss Said After The Race: “We are all racers at heart and we want to see a race where the quickest man wins. But then everything is different in the race. We should be over the moon with a one-two – we are – but it went against Valtteri because it should have been a race win, but we had to change it. We often have the discussions and it’s disappointing for a driver and the team, but if you can extend the championship lead by more points, then that’s what you have to do. You want to control everything in a race, there were a million scenarios for us, and we had a different one in the race and we need to take a step back and analyse today and look at what we can learn from it.”
Lewis Hamilton said: “It’s honestly the strangest day I can remember having in the sport in my career. I remember we’ve crossed the situation before and I’ve always felt super uncomfortable. I want to win the right way.
Lewis Hamilton And Valtteri Bottas Chat After The Race
“As racing drivers, we exist to win. If you tell us we can’t win, it’s taking our air away, it’s taking our life away. It’s not how I want to win.
Lewis Hamilton Races In The Now Infamous “Car 44″
The team took the decision. There are stronger heads in the team who say we have to win, and there are those of us who are racers and emotional about it.”
Lewis Hamilton After Practise On Friday
“It’s important to acknowledge Valtteri, who was the absolute gentleman. We have to embrace the moment still, but it’s a win on my list of wins that I’m least proud of. Budapest from last year was replaying in my mind. But the team said we need those points. That was their reasoning, as hard as it is to swallow.”
Lewis Hamilton Reaches Out To Valtteri Bottas As They Stand On The Podium With Russian President Vladimir Putin
Clearly, taking the whole thing ‘on the chin’, and being the excellent team-player that he is, Valtteri Bottas said: “It was a good result as a team, but personally as everyone saw it was quite difficult. Lewis is fighting for the championship so we always have a plan, but it is what it is.”
Looking at the “bigger picture” once again from this race, one can see the utmost professionalism of both Lewis and Valtteri, their ability to follow instructions because of the fact that they are ‘working as a team’, and their utmost respect for one another.
Valtteri Was In Pole Position Yesterday, And Lewis Was Happy For Him….
Lewis Won Today, And Ultimately, Valtteri Was Happy For Him…
They Understand That They Have “A Plan” As Valtteri Said – And They Both Stick To It
Valtteri Bottas Celebrates Being In Pole Position At The Russian Grand Prix Yesterday (Below)
Lewis Hamilton Overtakes Valtteri Bottas At The Russian Grand Prix Upon Team Orders (Below)
Many Congratulations To Both Of You Gentlemen For Your Superb Team Spirit, And To Lewis For His Spectacular Skills During The Race And Emerging Once Again As Champion!! We Are Very Proud Lewis!
© Amanda Waters
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LEWIS HAMILTON HAS TRIUMPHED ONCE AGAIN, THIS TIME AT THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX, EXTENDING HIS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD TO 40 POINTS, AND TAKING HIS 69TH VICTORY!
AFTER SECURING POLE POSITION IN A MAGICAL QUALIFYING SESSION YESTERDAY, LEWIS RACED CONFIDENTLY FROM START TO FINISH IN THE SEARING HEAT AND HUMIDITY, FINISHING AHEAD OF MAX VERSTAPPEN (2) AND SEBASTIEN VETTEL (3)
WHEN LEWIS WAS FINISHING HE SAID OVER THE RADIO TO HIS TEAM “GREAT JOB EVERYONE – WHAT A DAY, WHAT A WEEKEND! KEEP PUSHING, KEEP PUSHING!”
© Amanda Waters
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Lewis Hamilton Has Triumphed At His Fifth Italian Grand Prix To Increase His Lead In the Drivers Championships To 30 Points!
Lewis Hamilton Says “I Never Give Up” In An Interview After His Superb Win At Monza – Saying That Racing Admidst The Hostilities Of A Passionate Home Crowd Only Made Him Feel Stronger
© Amanda Waters
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‘FLYING’ RACING CARS
For those who have never seen a flying racing car before, then yesterday was the day at the Belgian Grand Prix.
In an unbelievable, yet remarkable incident (due to the fact that no-one was hurt), Fernando Alonso’s car literally ‘flew’ through the air and right over the top of Charles LeClerc’s Sauber, touching his ‘halo’ on the way and resulting in more or less total destruction of Fernando’s car, (and tyre-marks on Charles’ ‘halo’ – below).
Nico Hulkenberg’s tyres had seemingly ‘locked up’ on the first corner, sending him into Fernando Alonso’s McLaren, consequenting in Fernando ‘flying’ into the air and over the top of Charles LeClerc’s Sauber.
All three driver’s were then out of the race and whisked off to the medical centre, with Fernando Alonso saying that the new head protection ‘halo’ “had been a very good thing today.”
Sebastian Vettel took advantage of the chaos and sped ahead,
with Lewis Hamilton challenging strongly the whole time, clocking up super-fast laps along the way!
More car casualties occurred later in the race, when Kimi Raikkonen sustained a rear right puncture, with rear wing damage, resulting in him being a non-finisher, retiring on lap 8, and Daniel Ricciardo needing his front and rear wings changing, but after racing on for another 31 laps, ultimately retiring upon instruction.
After the race, Lewis said “Congratulations to Seb. He drove past me like I wasn’t even there on the straights so we’ve got to keep pushing to see if we can catch up. They’ve got a few trick things going on with the car, so I did what I could, we have to keep working.”
Sebastian Vettel said ” On the first lap I had a great start, and i’m not sure Lewis saw me. I knew my chance would be later on up the hill and I think I timed it well.”
Max Verstappen said “Initially is was chaotic, but we stayed out of trouble and did our own race. Before we have been a bit unlucky, it happens some times, but i’m really happy with today.”
Lewis Hamilton still leads the Championships by 17 points.
Full Results (1) Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari (2) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (3) Max Verstappen, Red Bull (4) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes (5) Sergio Perez, Force India (6) Esteban Ocon, Force India
© Amanda Waters
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Many Congratulations To Lewis Hamilton Who Has Triumphed At The Hockenheim Grand Prix!
Lewis fought his way from 14th place (following a mechanical failure yesterday in qualifying) to 1st place in drizzly conditions, and has also retaken the lead in the Drivers Championship.
After Sebastian Vettel lost control of his car on the slippery track and slipped into the tyre barriers, Lewis stormed ahead and claimed a miraculous win, with his team-mate Valtteri Bottas coming a close second ensuring a Mercedes first & second place, and Kimi Raikkonen claiming third place.
Lewis In Action In Hockenheim (Below)
This was Lewis’s 44th win in car number “44″, and his 125th career podium and 100th points finish for Mercedes.
Car No “44″ (Below)
It is also the first time a driver has won a race starting at P14 since Fernando Alonso’s 2008 Singapore Grand Prix victory. Lewis also now matches Michael Schumacher’s record of four German Grand Prix wins.
Lewis Hamilton Celebrates His Win (Below)
After the race, Lewis said “It is very difficult from that position and highly unlikely but you have always got to believe.” He went on to say “I said a long prayer before the race and I wanted to stay collected and calm. The team did a great job, the car did a great job, and I just kept believing.”
Lewis Hamilton & Mercedes Boss Toto Wollf (Below)
Speaking of Lewis’s qualifying heartache yesterday, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said “It’s Motor Racing. The race happens on Sunday and not on Saturday.” He went on “All the bad luck we had came back to us in tremendous good luck.”
Many Congratulations Lewis, And To Your Team!!
© Amanda Waters