Lewis Hamilton regains title lead after stunning win in Hockenheim, Germany

AFP | Lewis Hamilton regained the lead in the world drivers’ championship yesterday when he claimed one of the most memorable victories of his career by winning a rain-hit German Grand Prix for Mercedes, after starting from 14th on the grid.

The defending 4-time champion took full advantage of a heavy downpour, during which title rival and fellow four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari crashed out of contention to produce a masterclass of technical and tactical racing in treacherous conditions. His teammate Valtteri Bottas came home 2nd, 4.5 seconds behind the Englishman, ahead of fellow-Finn Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari to deliver Mercedes’ first one-two finish at a German Grand Prix.

It was Hamilton’s 4th win this year and the 66th of his career, the triumph lifting him to the top of the drivers’ title race and putting Mercedes back on top of the constructors’ championship — no wonder Mercedes chairman Dieter Zetsche embraced him.
“Get in there, Lewis,” said Mercedes on team radio. “Miracles do happen mate.” Hamilton said: “What an amazing job by you guys. Love conquers all.”

“That was highly unlikely, but you’ve got to believe,” Hamilton added. “I said a long prayer before the start. I kept pushing, kept believing and I manifested my dream. So, thanks to God.”

The race began in sweltering conditions – with an air temperature of 27 degrees Celsius (80 Fahrenheit), the track at 43 with humidity at 50 percent, and rainclouds looming all around.

Vettel made a clean start from his 55th pole position and resisted Bottas as Raikkonen fought off Verstappen, but the most attention was on Hamilton.

The Englishman was swiftly up to 12th from 14th and then reeled off a series of measured passes to climb to 6th by lap 11, when he passed Hulkenberg. At the front, Vettel was content to stay 3.8 seconds clear of the chasing Bottas before Raikkonen was 1st to pit, on lap 15, switching to softs and rejoining 4th.

With dark clouds swirling around, Mercedes told Hamilton they were extending his first stint “as much as we can”.
Eventually the team asked the Finn to allow Vettel to retake the lead.

Hamilton, finally, pitted for ultra-soft tyres on lap 43 – Mercedes guessing that the rain would not be too heavy – and rejoined in 5th.
“You will have the best chance on this tire; you have got the best rubber,” they told Hamilton.

When the patchy rain started it created mayhem, Vettel losing part of his front wing after hitting a kerb, but hanging on in the lead ahead of Raikkonen. Hamilton then reported heavier rain as Bottas passed his fellow Finn for 2nd.

After 52 laps Vettel crashed, sliding straight into the barriers. A safety car came out and while his rivals pitted for fresh tires, Hamilton inherited the lead, albeit with tires 10 laps old.

When racing resumed on lap 57 Bottas attacking his Mercedes team-mate, but Hamilton held on.

On lap 60 Hamilton posted a near-phenomenal lap in 1:15.7, nine-tenths quicker than Bottas.