Hamilton suggests he may be suffering with long Covid

Lewis Hamilton has suggested he may still be suffering from lingering effects of the coronavirus that forced him to sit out last year's Sakhir Grand Prix.

Mercedes driver Hamilton was left fatigued and dizzy at the end of the Hungarian GP which resulted in him needing to see a doctor.

The seven-time F1 champion, who finished third at the Hungaroring, was initially absent from the FIA press conference for the top three drivers before eventually making an appearance late on.

Asked as to how he was feeling, Hamilton said: "I'm okay. Yeah, I had real dizziness and everything got a bit blurry on the podium.

"I've been fighting all year with staying healthy after what happened at the end of last year, and it's a battle."

Hamilton sustained Covid-19 immediately after his victory in the Bahrain GP, leading to him missing the race around the outer circuit a week later.

Although the 36-year-old went on to take part in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it was noticeable at the time the race was a struggle.

Seven months on, and Hamilton has shed light on the fight he has been facing this season.

Asked whether he felt he may be suffering from long Covid, a term used to describe the persistent effects of the coronavirus, Hamilton added: "I haven't spoken to anyone particularly about it but I think it is lingering.

"I remember the effects of when I had it. Training's been different since then, and the levels of fatigue you get are different.

"As I said, it's different, so I'm just continuing to try and train and prepare the best way I can.

"Who knows what it is today. Maybe it's hydration, I don't know but I've definitely not had that experience.

"I had something similar in Silverstone [after the British GP] but this is way worse."

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