Formula One news
Mixed emotions for Hamilton and McLaren
03 August 2008McLaren Mercedes driver Heikki Kovalainen took his first Formula 1 victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix today. His win marks the third successive victory for the team and makes Heikki the 100th Formula 1 winner since the World Championship began in 1950. Lewis Hamilton finished fifth after pitting early to change a damaged front tyre on lap 41.
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"There have been races this year where I've been in a position to challenge for victory but had something go wrong for me," Kovalainen said. "Halfway through this race, things started working for me and I started pushing Felipe hard - and it worked. I feel sorry for Felipe because he drove a great race, but my car felt good and I knew I could push for the victory. This is a great moment for me, something I've been targeting for many years. Hopefully, this victory will be the first of many."
Hamilton commented, "Congratulations to Heikki for his first and very well deserved grand prix win. The race could have been better for me. My start was okay, but Felipe's was better and he managed to overtake me. I managed to maintain the gap during the first stint and felt comfortable in the second stint because I was matching his times but was going to be running longer to the final stops. I feel I could have had a go at passing him, but the damaged tyre halted my progress. I don't yet know what happened. But at least I scored four points and maintained my lead in the championship, so this result is not too bad for me."
Team boss Ron Dennis added, "One of the oldest motor racing phrases ever coined is: 'To finish first, first you have to finish.' Hackneyed it may be, but it's true nonetheless. Even so, you have to feel sorry for Felipe, who did a very good job. But
Heikki drove superbly, scoring his first grand prix victory in fine style and converting his excellent qualifying pace, which has been apparent all season, into a thoroughly well deserved win. Lewis's race was compromised by his losing the lead at the start; but we fuelled him long for the second stint and therefore believed he was well placed to leapfrog Felipe in his final pitstop. Sadly for him, though, it wasn't to be: damage to his front-left tyre cost him that victory chance. However, from Lewis's perspective, as bad days go, it could have been a lot worse. But today was Heikki's day, and a very good day it was, and everyone at McLaren is absolutely delighted for him."
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