Hamilton Storms German GP Despite Team Error

Lewis Hamilton took his McLaren to the top of the Formula One Drivers Championship this weekend, winning the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. The British frontrunner seemed to be in trouble following a strategy error that saw him drop to fifth place, having started on Pole.

After the race, McLaren boss Ron Dennis apologised for the team’s mistake of not calling Hamilton to the pits when the use of a safety car saw the evaporation of Hamilton’s 11-second lead. Hamilton eventually reached the pits for refuelling on lap 50, rendered a mere spectator as four drivers passed him. However, one suspiciously easy passing manoeuvre on team-mate Heikki Kovalainen later, only a further eight laps were necessary to pass Filipe Massa’s Ferrari and Nelson Piquet’s Renault, as Hamilton made a mockery of suggestions that he may be slowed through the use of softer tyres in the final third, regaining the lead seven laps from the end.

The result gave Hamilton back-to-back wins, and though Massa’s third-placed performance leaves the Ferrari just four points off the lead, the Briton appears to be in control.

Top Six at Hockenheim:

1) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes
2) Nelson Picquet Jr, Renault
3) Felipe Massa, Ferrari
4) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber
5) Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes
6) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari