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Hamilton: I hoped the Safety Car would stay out!
Lewis Hamilton was naturally all smiles after picking up his maiden Belgian Grand Prix victory on Sunday afternoon, having been denied the 2008 win following a stewards’ investigation. This year’s race featured a number of challenges, however, as rain showers threw a selection of variables into the mix.
After taking the lead as pole-sitter Mark Webber’s car kicked into anti-stall on the starting grid, Hamilton continued to head proceedings although the Englishman did suffer what initially looked to be a race-ending off at Rivage corner on Lap 35 of 44.
“It was a great weekend but very, very tough race for me,” he said in the post-race press conference.
“It was the same for everyone but there were very tricky conditions when it started to rain, losing temperature in tyres and I locked my wheels and went wide at Turn 8...geez, the lord definitely had his hand over me there because I was able to get away with it!”
Lewis expressed his particular delight of being able to collect 25 points, aware that Red Bull Racing are set to be particularly strong at all remaining tracks bar Monza. “At some places we’re not as fast as these guys but a great job this weekend and I’m so happy to be here,” he continued.
“It’s a difficult call because the team said, ‘Rain coming’ and then it dries up very quickly, so you don’t know what to expect - obviously it’s too late once you’re past the pits but I had a fantastic stop, probably the best I’ve had this year.
“I was hoping the Safety Car would stay out longer! Fortunately it didn’t rain anymore, so at the end it was all about nursing the car home in one piece.”
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