Belgian Grand Prix – Top 3 Statements: “Avoid a scenario like Silverstone” for Hamilton
Solid leader throughout the Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton had no trouble winning the Belgian Grand Prix ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas. For Verstappen, the Ricciardo threat and tire degradation did not allow him to battle at the front with Mercedes.
Hamilton, the memory of Silverstone still present
Lewis Hamilton, winner of the race at Spa-Francorchamps, did not have an easy race: “It wasn’t the easiest race, I had lock-ups, vibrations, and had to juggle between attacking and conserving…” At the end of the race, the championship leader had one thing on his mind: avoiding the Silverstone scenario and a puncture on the last lap: “I was conserving at the end. And I wanted to avoid a scenario like Silverstone.”
Hamilton also paid tribute to the Mercedes team, which continues to improve with every race and provides him with an always competitive car. As usual, he reiterated that he would like more battles on the track, but that it does not depend on him…
HAMILTON: “It wasn’t the easiest of races. The tyre temperatures were slowly dropping. It was a bit of a struggle.
“No matter how much success we have we keep our heads down. It’s an incredible mentality to work around” #BelgianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/HYD7UALltP
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 30, 2020
Bottas hopes that he will succeed in winning the race next weekend.
After a bit of a battle at the first corner, the team curbed the Finn’s enthusiasm by preventing him from using maximum power against his teammate. When questioned about this instruction, Bottas pleaded his good faith: « Indeed, I assure you I really didn’t know we weren’t supposed to attack each other…». It makes one wonder what the drivers and engineers discuss during pre-race briefings…
Fair play, Bottas congratulated Hamilton for his perfect race management and hopes to win at the next Grand Prix: « At the start, I had an opportunity to overtake Lewis but he was quick after turn 1. After that, I didn’t have the chance to catch him, he managed the race perfectly… For me, it’s still a clean weekend, but I hope to have the chance to win next weekend. »
BOTTAS: “The start was a big opportunity but Lewis played it well. I couldn’t catch him on the straights. Those two things were the difference.
“Lewis was faultless today and he was good yesterday too. I’m happy that there’s another opportunity next weekend.”#BelgianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/Ch7cav1gQJ
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 30, 2020
Verstappen got bored and had no room for maneuver.
Boring! That’s the word used by the Dutchman to describe his race at Spa: « Not much to do, there were 8 laps where I wanted to save my tires. I was close to a puncture, we can only be satisfied with this 3rd place » stated, somewhat disillusioned, Max Verstappen after his new podium.
VERSTAPPEN: “I couldn’t really keep up with [the Mercedes]… We finished P3, any more was not possible” #BelgianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/3KotkcDO8p
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 30, 2020
