Lewis Hamilton will be far from the celebrations in Mexico after Sunday’s race. Although finishing second, it wasn’t the result Hamilton wanted. Especially with Sergio Perez at his tail and Max Verstappen 17 seconds ahead of him, Hamilton was dismayed. Although this didn’t stop him from making some nuanced remarks.
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It goes without saying that Sergio Perez put up an incredible battle against the reigning champion in the final laps of the race. However, in a double entendre, Hamilton took a dig at Perez. Praising Red Bull’s pace, the Brit added, “When you got Checo on your tail, then you know the car was quick.”
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Traffic for both Perez and Hamilton has hampered the battle slightly, but it's still all to play for! 🤩#MexicoGP 🇲🇽 #F1 pic.twitter.com/rTYZhqURt2
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 7, 2021
A little out of character for the otherwise positive driver; however, it wouldn’t be easy after a race like that. Lewis was a lone matador against two aggressive bulls. With Bottas stuck at the back of the grid, Hamilton had no aid.
Read more: Toto Wolff Points the Finger at Valtteri Bottas for Max Verstappen’s Mexico F1 Win
However, the rodeo with Perez wasn’t solely based on pace. Although team strategy and the undeniable Red Bull speed played a large part, Sergio Perez was the man of the moment. The Mercedes crossed the line by the skin of its teeth as the Perez breathed down on his opponent for over 15 laps.
Lewis Hamilton still sees the positive
With Valtteri out of the points, the second-place finish for Hamilton lets Mercedes make the best of a bad day. For Lewis, he did the best that he could. “I feel positive in the sense that I had a good race. I did everything with the car that I had, and the car that I had was not good today.”
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Mexico City Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – November 7, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action during the race REUTERS/Andres Stapff
Hamilton is also happy to have deprived Red Bull of the 1-2 finish. “To keep Sergio behind in the much faster car this weekend… I was glad I was able to keep at least those two apart in terms of getting a 1-2 for their team.”
As Bottas robbed Verstappen of the fastest lap point and Hamilton prevented a 1-2 finish, it couldn’t be clearer: every point matters in this championship. Once again, Verstappen extends his lead; now, by 19 points. Red Bull, too, inch closer to their rivals with only a point between the two teams. This is as close as it gets. With four more races to go, the second race of the triple-header awaits.
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