Bold approach reaps reward for Hamilton
BRITAIN’S Lewis Hamilton delighted in answering critics of his aggressive driving style with a virtuoso performance to triumph at the German Grand Prix yesterday.
Hamilton, who has been accused of recklessness in his attempts to wring the most out of his McLaren this season, saw off the Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber as well as old foe Fernando Alonso to claim a thrilling win at the Nurburgring.
“Driving lap after lap within tenths of each other was about real perfection. There was no room for error at all,” said Hamilton, who tussled repeatedly with Webber and Alonso throughout.
“And with my aggressive style, I felt the moves I made were some of the most precise I have pulled in a while. Being able to drive with your head all the time and getting it just right is massively satisfying.”
Webber took second and Alonso third, with unaway leader Vettel fourth, edging Hamilton to within 82 points of the world champion.
And while the Stevenage racer declared McLaren were “back in the fight”, he played down suggestions his second win of 2011 signalled the revival of his championship hopes.
STANDINGS | DRIVERS’ TITLE
1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull 216 points
2. Mark Webber, Red Bull 139
3. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren 134
4. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari 130
5. Jenson Button, McLaren 109