Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates with teammates after winning the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore. Xinhua News Agency/PA Images
Tribute
Senna helped me to shock win, says Hamilton
The British driver had to hold his nerve during three safety cars and the first wet conditions ever seen in Singapore.
LEWIS HAMILTON SAID he felt like the spirit of Ayrton Senna guided him to a “shock” win in the Singapore Grand Prix as he significantly boosted his world title chances on Sunday.
Hamilton said he thought about the late Brazilian’s infamous mistake at Monaco 1988 — when Senna crashed late while leading — before steering his Mercedes to victory in a chaotic race.
Hamilton started fifth on a rain-hit grid but he led almost from the outset when both Ferraris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crashed out just after the start.
But the Briton still had to hold his nerve during three safety cars and the first wet conditions ever seen in Singapore, a notoriously long and physical race.
Advertisement
“It was still a massive challenge,” said the three-time world champion, adding that his thoughts kept turning to Senna, his hero, during the race.
At the Monaco Grand Prix he was in the lead and hit the wall. I think that always comes into mind. I’ve had experiences like that, but that always comes and reminds me.
“It’s almost like he talks to me.”
Hamilton, off the pace in qualifying, admitted he was delighted when the rain clouds rolled over the Marina Bay circuit on Sunday, knowing it was his best chance of an upset.
He couldn’t have hoped for better luck than both Ferraris going out on the first lap — which ultimately allowed him to open up a 28-point gap on Sebastian Vettel with six races left.
Today couldn’t be any more perfect a scenario for us,” he said. “We really had to just bank on a good start and a better strategy to just get us one place maybe, or hope for reliability (problems) with another car.
“But for the rain to fall, I was so happy. You can’t imagine how happy I was.”
Hamilton added: “I definitely went into today thinking it was about damage limitation… so to come out in a complete other direction, it’s a shock. But I’ll take it.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Senna helped me to shock win, says Hamilton
LEWIS HAMILTON SAID he felt like the spirit of Ayrton Senna guided him to a “shock” win in the Singapore Grand Prix as he significantly boosted his world title chances on Sunday.
Hamilton said he thought about the late Brazilian’s infamous mistake at Monaco 1988 — when Senna crashed late while leading — before steering his Mercedes to victory in a chaotic race.
Hamilton started fifth on a rain-hit grid but he led almost from the outset when both Ferraris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crashed out just after the start.
But the Briton still had to hold his nerve during three safety cars and the first wet conditions ever seen in Singapore, a notoriously long and physical race.
“It was still a massive challenge,” said the three-time world champion, adding that his thoughts kept turning to Senna, his hero, during the race.
“It’s almost like he talks to me.”
Hamilton, off the pace in qualifying, admitted he was delighted when the rain clouds rolled over the Marina Bay circuit on Sunday, knowing it was his best chance of an upset.
He couldn’t have hoped for better luck than both Ferraris going out on the first lap — which ultimately allowed him to open up a 28-point gap on Sebastian Vettel with six races left.
“But for the rain to fall, I was so happy. You can’t imagine how happy I was.”
Hamilton added: “I definitely went into today thinking it was about damage limitation… so to come out in a complete other direction, it’s a shock. But I’ll take it.”
- © AFP 2017
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
Brady and the Patriots bounce back with a vengeance>
Watch: Davy Fitzgerald sings ‘That’s Amore’ on new TV3 ‘Living with Lucy’ series>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Ayrton Senna Formula 1 Lewis Hamilton Shock Singapore Grand Prix Tribute