Hamilton Wary of Ferrari Threat
Lewis Hamilton has warned that McLaren will continue to present a formidable threat to his world title hopes
Lewis Hamilton has warned that Ferrari will still represent a formidable rival over the seven remaining grands prix if the McLaren driver is to claim his first world title at the end of his second season in formula one.
The British driver acknowledged that it was satisfying to have extended his championship lead to five points in Sunday's Hungarian grand prix, despite dropping to fifth place after a puncture, but Ferrari "were strong" after Felipe Massa only lost victory with an engine failure three laps from the checkered flag.
"Hungary showed they had some really strong pace, which we already knew they had," Hamilton told autosport.com. "I think I drove well. I didn't make any mistakes. I just had a puncture. I brought the car home as safe as possible and scored as many points as I could.
"It's just unfortunate I was the one to get a puncture. I had it three times last year, and that's what really lost me the championship. It can be very, costly, but Kimi [Raikkonen] didn't win, and it actually helps Heikki [Kovalainen] has won and Glock was second. They are taking points off everyone else, so I'm quite happy."
Hamilton also warned Massa that he would not concede a repeat of his move at the first corner when he ran round the outside of the McLaren to take the lead.
"I had one of my best ever starts, but Felipe had an even better one. It won't happen again."
The British driver acknowledged that it was satisfying to have extended his championship lead to five points in Sunday's Hungarian grand prix, despite dropping to fifth place after a puncture, but Ferrari "were strong" after Felipe Massa only lost victory with an engine failure three laps from the checkered flag.
"Hungary showed they had some really strong pace, which we already knew they had," Hamilton told autosport.com. "I think I drove well. I didn't make any mistakes. I just had a puncture. I brought the car home as safe as possible and scored as many points as I could.
"It's just unfortunate I was the one to get a puncture. I had it three times last year, and that's what really lost me the championship. It can be very, costly, but Kimi [Raikkonen] didn't win, and it actually helps Heikki [Kovalainen] has won and Glock was second. They are taking points off everyone else, so I'm quite happy."
Hamilton also warned Massa that he would not concede a repeat of his move at the first corner when he ran round the outside of the McLaren to take the lead.
"I had one of my best ever starts, but Felipe had an even better one. It won't happen again."
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