Formula One news

Hamilton - I had Alonso in hand

Lewis Hamilton insisted he had Fernando Alonso completely in hand at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix when the Spaniard was right on the championship leader's tail.

"After the first safety car I got off to a good start and didn't feel any pressure from Fernando," Hamilton said. "I was saving fuel and could have pushed harder if I needed to. It was so tricky out there and my visor was very fogged up so it was difficult to see."

"It was a very eventful race!" he exclaimed. "There were so many times when we could have stopped the race, sometimes very tricky and other times a bit easier to race."

"It was the longest race of my life and seemed to go on and on," added Hamilton who has gone twelve points clear at the top of the standings with two races remaining.

more news

• 09 Jan.
  • New Renault fails FIA crash test
  • Toro Rosso confirm Buemi
  • Technical reshuffle at Red Bull
  • Klien still optimistic of race seat
  • Kubica named Polish sports personality of the year
  • Richards out of Honda running
  • Donington gains planning permission
• 08 Jan.
  • FOTA agrees cost-cutting plans
  • De la Rosa still aiming for race seat in F1
  • A dozen parties interested in Honda
  • Mosley not done yet with cost cuttings
• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
  • Encouraging news for Donington
• 02 Jan.
  • Di Resta still hopeful of F1 drive
  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
  • Hakkinen supports medals system
• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to join Madame Tussauds
  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit

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