LEWIS HAMILTON CLAIMED his Mercedes drove “like a four-poster bed” after he finished seventh at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.
After failing to post a time in qualifying due to a technical problem, Hamilton was forced to start from the back of the grid at the Shanghai International Circuit.
The defending world champion suffered damage to his front wing in a collision with Felipe Nasr’s Sauber on the first lap, with the part subsequently lodging itself underneath the car.
A safety car following a puncture for Daniel Ricciardo helped him to finish in the points, but the effect of the contact was felt throughout the remainder of the race.
“It was definitely a difficult one,” said Hamilton. “I got a good start, which is always difficult from the back. I tried to avoid what was ahead of me but got tangled in it.
“This track is quite good because you can overtake and get close but the car was pretty damaged. I’m sure some aero parts were damaged but I think the suspension was too.
“The car was flexing like crazy. It was like a four-poster bed.”
Nico Rosberg claimed a third successive Grand Prix victory to extend his lead over Hamilton in the drivers’ standings to 36 points and the 31-year-old was keen to move on.
“Every time I did a stop, I was having to come back through again – so I wasn’t really gaining a lot of ground,” added Hamilton.
“At the end, there was nothing left in the tyres. Anyway, that’s racing. Not a great finish for us this weekend, hopefully onwards and upwards.”
