Lewis Hamilton did a superb job to salvage third in Hockenheim after starting only 20th, but while he put on a brave face afterwards there was no hiding his disappointment at losing more ground in the title battle.
Hamilton dropped from 15th on the grid after receiving a five-place penalty for a gearbox change. He also changed from Brembo to Carbon Industrie discs, although that did not lead to a pitlane start for a change to the car under parc ferme, as had been feared.
His chances were hampered by damage to his front wing after a clash with Jenson Button, and the team adjusted his strategy from three stops to two in attempt to find the pace with which to challenge Valtteri Bottas for second.
“I had great fun,” he said. “I did as good as I could today. It was very hard to get through the pack safely. I had a little bit of a collision with Jenson. I honestly thought he was opening the door to let me past, he’s been a bit like that in the past race for example, so my bad on judgement there. It’s very hard to overtake at the end, they were so fast on the straights, but I’m very happy I got some points today.”
Hamilton clearly lost downforce, although he could not quantify how much the wing damage cost him.
“I couldn’t tell you. The car was a little bit different but nonetheless to still get some points today, I’m grateful and very happy with the car today that Mercedes provided us with and congratulations to Nico. It’s fantastic for him on his home soil and also for Mercedes-Benz. So I’m glad I could add some points today.”
Asked if his glass was half full or half empty, he said: “Well, I don’t really know how to answer that really. I came from last, so to get on the podium is quite an achievement, so perhaps half full.”
Adam Cooper's F1 Blog 
‘Lewis Hamilton did a superb job to salvage third in Hockenheim after starting only 20th …’.
Quite so. But wouldn’t Max Chiltern have done exactly the same in that car? Why, he might even have made it into second.
Nico, nice lad that he is, just ain’t no benchmark. Sorry guys, we all know it’s true.
Yep, the former champ in lower formula, a guy who out-scored and soundly beat the most successful driver of all time over a 3 year period and is presently beating HAM both in points and quaky, is no benchmark.
Lewis has been a bit hit and miss this year, and as always his raw talent pulls him through; so I wouldn’t count him out just yet. He has made some mistakes this year, but one mistake he’s not making is underestimating Nico.
“Lewis Hamilton: “It was very hard to get through the pack safely…””
Yeah, especially when he’s bashing and banging into anyone who isn’t willing to give up a spot, Right Jenson?