Formula One news

Hamilton - it could have been worse

Lewis Hamilton may have lost the lead of the Hungarian Grand Prix at the first corner, and seen his chances of challenging for the win go with a damaged front tyre late in the race, but the McLaren driver was positive in the end, and noted that things could have been much worse if Massa hadn't retired too.

"I think I salvaged the best from the worst," Hamilton said of his fifth place finish. "What can you do when you have a puncture? Last year I probably lost the championship on punctures so what can you do. I was a bit disappointed that Massa got past, but he did a better job than me there so it's better to be safe than sorry there."

"It was a surprise that we weren't as quick as we should have been and that I wasn't as fast behind Felipe," he added. "I had no warning of the puncture. It's nowhere near as bad as it could have been, we could have had Felipe and Kimi in front. Heikki did a good job and Glock was second which took points off Kimi which is good." 

Hamilton's fifth place finish brought him four more points and extended his championship lead by one point overall to five, although now Raikkonen is second.

more news

• 11 Oct.
  • Honda to announce 2009 driver line-up after the season
  • Ferrari faces uphill battle
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Another double top ten for Toro Rosso
  • McLaren delighted with qualifying
  • Back row again for Force India
  • BMW hopes rest with Kubica
  • Alonso keeps Renault competitive
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
  • Bridgestone expects grip to improve during the weekend
  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Mixed Friday for BMW
  • Force India upbeat after practice
  • Honda looking for more pace
  • Ferrari happy with Friday progress
  • Government will try and safe Canadian Grand Prix
  • Strong start for Toyota at home track
  • Renault shows encouraging pace at Fuji
  • Nakajima enjoys first day at Fuji Speedway
  • Glock fastest on Friday
  • Photos: Friday at Fuji
  • Hamilton leads first practice in Japan
  • Nakajima pleased with his first F1 season so far
  • Barrichello's advise to Senna: Do not join Honda!
• 09 Oct.
  • Massa focused ahead of vital race weekend
  • Raikkonen hoping for better
  • Button still waiting for Honda's driver decision
  • Canadian GP dropped due to a 'commercial disagreement'
  • New engine for Glock
  • F1 drivers: It's a shame to see Canada go

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