Hamilton defends Hockenheim actions and blasts haters

Lewis Hamilton defended his actions in qualifying for the German Grand Prix, chided his detractors and vowed to drive the race "like my life depends on it" in an epic social-media post after a hydraulic failure left him to face starting 14th at Hockenheim, with title rival Sebastian Vettel on pole.

Hamilton had to sit out the latter stages of Saturday's actions, after an issue picked up in Q1, while Vettel set a new lap record to take pole position and the Ferrari man is near certain to extend his championship lead over Hamilton even further.

Mercedes cleared Hamilton of any wrongdoing after it had initially looked like his rough treatment of the car through turn one had caused damage to his car and the champion took to Instagram soon afterwards to explain his side of the story.

He posted to his 6.7million Instagram followers: "FYI to avoid all assumptions, today was nobody's fault. When I got to the exit curb [sic] of Turn 1, the hydrolics [sic] in the steering failed.

'@LewisHamilton has taken to Instagram to explain his qualifying failure...#GermanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/SUxArYwsGM — GP Fans Global (@GPFansGlobal) July 21, 2018

"When this happened the car pulled to the left and so I was forced to drive off the track and subsequently taking a bumpy ride before rejoining. Those big bumps did zero damage.

"These things happen and as always we win and we lose together as a team.

"Why didn't I pull over when asked. Simple, it's qualifying, the car was still going and I hoped with all my heart that I might make it back.

"In my heart I never give up so it is the hardest thing to give in and accept the car will not make it back. I turned the car off and thought perhaps I can even push it back as crazy as it sounds. That's just me being passionate.

"To those who take joy in seeing other people fail or suffer, I feel for you. Whatever is happening in your life to hold so much anger and hate, I pray that it passes and good things come to you.

"Nelson Mandela once said, we were not born with hate in our hearts, it's something learnt over time. But if we can learn to hate then we can be taught to love for love is far easier and more natural to the human heart. God bless you.

"Now tomorrow, I can't predict what's to come. Good or bad I will die before I give in. All I can do is try to be the best me I can be and drive it like my life depends on it!"