McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton won a thrilling German Grand Prix in Hockenheim on Sunday to forge four points clear of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa at the top of the Formula One championship.
Brazilian rookie Nelson Piquet, who had started in 17th place on a one-stop strategy, finished an astonishing second for Renault after leading for six laps. Compatriot Massa was third.
Hamilton led from pole position at engine partners’ Mercedes home track but the 23-year-old had to make an inspired fightback from fifth place with 16 laps remaining after a safety car interlude shook up his strategy.
“I didn’t plan on doing that. I’d have much preferred an easy, comfortable afternoon out front,” he said.
“Overall it was a very, very good weekend. It’s got to be the best weekend up to now. I think that we’re really on top of our game right now.”
The victory was his second in a row, and eighth of his career, after a dominant performance in the wet at the previous British Grand Prix two weeks ago and made him the first driver to win four times this season.
Hamilton now has 58 points to Massa’s 54. Ferrari’s world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who started and finished sixth on Sunday, has 51.
Filed under: Motor Racing
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