Lewis Hamilton reveals 2mm mistake that destroyed sprint chances

Italian Grand Prix

3 reacties

Hamilton reveals 2mm mistake that destroyed sprint chances

Hamilton dropped from second to fifth at the start of the Monza sprint

Sam Hall

Saturday 11 September 2021 20:45

Lewis Hamilton has revealed a two-millimetre clutch error was to blame for his woeful sprint start at the Italian Grand Prix.

Hamilton started alongside his pole-sitting Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas for the 18-lap sprint on Saturday but had dropped to sixth by the first chicane.

Unable to recover positions after being trapped behind Lando Norris' McLaren for the duration, Hamilton will start Sunday's grand prix fourth, moving up two places by virtue of Pierre Gasly's lap one crash and Bottas' grid penalties.

“I was being as aggressive as I could be," said Hamilton.

"The McLarens are the quickest on the straights and I just couldn’t get close enough to then capitalise in a straight line. They were just as fast on straights if not faster.

Article continues under video

“The start was just breakaway traction, a subtle, like two millimetres too deep with the clutch paddle and wheelspin. That is it.”

For the fourth race in succession, Hamilton has a chance to secure his 100th F1 victory but the seven-time champion conceded this to now be unlikely given the pace of those starting ahead.

Asked if he felt a curse had been placed on his, he said: “I don’t believe in curses.

"[On] Sunday it is highly unlikely but not impossible that we could get the win.

“It’s damage limitation at the moment so it generally should be a relatively easy race for Max unless I can get past the two McLarens early on and then challenge.”

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Charles Leclerc fumes at Ferrari for making him look like an ‘idiot’ at Monaco Grand Prix

9 minutes ago

Lewis Hamilton gushes over 'amazing' Kim Kardashian after Monaco Grand Prix

47 minutes ago

Max Verstappen caught leaving Monaco Grand Prix early after Red Bull nightmare

1 hour ago

F1 News Today: Brundle snubbed by Kim Kardashian as Monaco Grand Prix descends into farce

1 hour ago

Lewis Hamilton delivers powerful F1 statement lamenting 'horrendous' Ferrari year

2 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton blows a kiss to Kim Kardashian as F1 star basks in Monaco Grand Prix glory