F1 | Spanish GP | Lewis Hamilton ''surprised" by his dominant victory at Barcelona
Mercedes’ driver Lewis Hamilton, who stormed to his 88th career win at Spanish GP, after leading every lap from start to finish, was in surprise over his victory after tyre vows at Silverstone last week had them at back foot.
Hamilton who had a perfect gateway at start and fending off successfully anyone getting the benefit of his slipstream at the start. The reigning champion knew it was his race to win.
After first few laps on softs Hamilton already knew that tyres this week are underneath him and with two stops successfully managing them for 66 laps, Hamilton went on to finish - a whooping 24s ahead of the second place Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and lapped everyone below 3rd onwards and become the all-time record holder for most podium finishes in F1 (156 Podiums)
After dismal F170 GP at Silverstone last week, heading into the race today, everyone at Mercedes camp was a bit in the dark, about how would these Pirelli rubbers will perform this race under the scorching heat of Barcelona and after 66 laps when Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line Hamilton expressed the he was surprised by the performance of the car.
“It was really special and a real surprise after our recent tyre problems. We brought all of our learnings from the previous weekend into this one and that enabled us to do well today,” said Lewis Hamilton.
As Lewis led from start to finish and was just a fastest lap of the race away from his another F1 Grand Slam, reigning world champion described the race as one of his best and he was driving the best race of his life.
“This feels absolutely incredible. I was just in a daze out there, I didn’t even know it was the last lap in the end, that’s how in the zone I was. I can’t remember the last time I felt like that.”
Hamilton emphasized that it his dominant race went was all due to his perfect race start and then how he managed his tyres in both of his stints and then it was all just bringing the car home safely.
‘’I got the perfect start and then it was all about tyre management. It was so hot out there and very demanding, but I was just focused on protecting the tyres and bringing the car home.’’
Furthermore, he thanked everyone at the team and how they managed to get rid of tire issues they had at last week’s GP.
“A fantastic effort from everyone in the team, I’m so grateful for all their hard work and for continuing to push, so a huge thank you to everyone at the factories, what an incredible result!”
