Hamilton in the dark over Mercedes DNF risk

Hamilton, Mercedes, Spain, 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

Spanish Grand Prix

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Hamilton in the dark over Mercedes DNF risk

The Mercedes driver lost out on fourth after a stellar comeback drive

Ewan Gale

Sunday 22 May 2022 18:45 Updated: 13:48

Lewis Hamilton is unsure of the cause of Mercedes' late-race DNF risk after having to concede fourth position to Carlos Sainz on the penultimate lap of the Spanish Grand Prix.

The seven-time champion had fought from 19th to just behind team-mate George Russell after colliding with Kevin Magnussen's Haas at turn four on lap one and sustaining a puncture.

But his hard work was almost completely in vain when he was told by the Mercedes pit wall to cool the car with the W13 under a "DNF risk", leaving Hamilton a sitting duck late on against Ferrari driver Sainz.

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Addressing his race as a whole, Hamilton said: "I am just really grateful I was able to come back and grateful to the team for just keeping their heads down and positive feedback coming through and all the amazing work to get us to this improvement.

"The car felt great in the race, our pace is closer to the top guys in the race which is amazing.

"Just really unfortunate at the start with the punctures I got. But I didn't give up, that is what we do, right?"

Hamilton expands on drive from "no man's land"

Asked what had caused his late-race tentativeness, with Hamilton exaggerating lift-and-coast tactics, he explained: "It was just a lot hotter than predicted and for everyone, it is quite tough with these cars.

"I don't know exactly what went on with the car but I had to basically drive it at half throttle, try to cool the car, lots of lifting on the straight to try and get clean air into the engine just to cool it down.

"Gutted to lose the place to Sainz, especially coming from where I came from. I was 30-plus seconds behind last place. That is no-man's-land.

"It is a horrible feeling being that far behind, but you have to keep your head up, keep pushing and hope for the better.

"They said I could get to eighth. Eighth doesn't really feel like a particularly impressive result but I was like 'I will at least be getting into the points'.

"So to be fighting for fourth, I was so happy with that."

Hamilton will now look to build on that encouraging day in Barcelona at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.