Eifel Grand Prix – Ricciardo: “Like my first podium”

Lewis Hamilton – 1st (Grid: 2nd)

Although he started only second on the grid, Lewis Hamilton thought he had done the hardest part by getting off to a very good start. But in the end, Valtteri Bottas managed to hold him off for several laps before giving way due to another driving error: « I got a good start and got alongside Valtteri. I left some space but he managed to get back in front. I could see he was damaging his front tires and experiencing graining. »

The Briton also recalled that he had to be wary of Max Verstappen until the end, especially as the Dutchman managed to set the track record in the very last lap: « It wasn’t an easy race, the Red Bulls are very fast. He could have had his chance at the restart after the safety car. I gave it my all. »

But what we will remember most from this race is obviously Lewis Hamilton’s 91st victory in the category. To honor this achievement, it was Mick Schumacher, Michael’s son, who presented him with a helmet worn by his father: « It’s an honor for me to receive this helmet. I don’t even know what to say. When you grow up watching someone, idolizing them. To see everything he achieved. I remember playing video games with him. I never imagined I could come close to Michael’s records. It was only when I entered the pit lane that I began to realize. »

Max Verstappen: 2nd (Grid: 3rd)

Once again, Max Verstappen positions himself as the only one capable of (slightly) hindering Mercedes’ march forward: « It was a good race, I tried to follow Lewis. They are still a bit too fast for us but I wanted to take my chance. Securing this fastest lap is good, with the extra point. »

The Dutchman thus complained about the time spent under the safety car while Lando Norris’s car was quickly removed: « The track was very cold, the tires too. When we came out of the pits, the tires were very cold. I don’t understand why the safety car stayed on track for so long. »

Daniel Ricciardo: 3rd (Grid: 6th)

Perhaps the happiest on the podium was Daniel Ricciardo, who allowed Renault to return to the podium for the first time since its return to F1, the team’s first since Malaysia 2011: « It’s been a long time. I must admit that it feels like I’m celebrating my first podium. It must have been two and a half years. It really feels good. »

The question on everyone’s lips was obviously whether Cyril Abiteboul, the team director, would indeed honor his bet to get a tattoo to commemorate the Australian’s first podium for the Diamond: « It’s a real bet, it’s going to happen. We will have to look into it. Probably something that will have a connection to me, maybe with a little German touch! »