British GP: Lewis Hamilton promises no let up in ‘intense’ F1 2018

Lewis Hamilton has promised he will “not give up” in what he describes as the “most intense battle we’ve probably all had” after the disappointment of not winning his home British Grand Prix.

Hamilton’s hopes of finishing on the Silverstone podium, let alone claiming a record sixth victory, appeared over after he was spun into the run-off area by Kimi Raikkonen inside three corners and dropped to 18th place. The polesitter had already been overtaken by Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas at the start.

Button’s verdict on an epic British GP

But spurred on by a record 140,000 race-day crowd, the home favourite drove superbly to race back to second place and said on Twitter afterwards he “used every ounce of energy fighting up the grid”.

“We’ll take it on the chin and keep pushing hard, because believe me I will not give up. I will not give up,” said Hamilton after falling eight points behind race winner Vettel.

Hamilton explained his decision to go straight to the podium cool-down room after the race, rather than stay in parc ferme for the top-three interviews, was because “I didn’t have much to give at that time and needed to take a deep breath”.

“I pushed absolutely 100, 1000 per cent,” he added. “Every bit of energy I had. I didn’t have anything left when I came in.

“People expect you to get out of the car and wave and smile and all that. I gave everything I could, I was struggling to stand.”

But while the Englishman could not give the home crowd a result to follow the national football team’s success in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, he praised their support and said it would continue to spur him on throughout the rest of the season.

“The fans have been incredible this weekend and I’m grateful for the England football team at least doing great this weekend and keeping it positive,” said Hamilton.

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“Obviously we’re in a tough battle this year and it’s the most intense battle that I think we’ve probably all had but I’m very, very grateful that the car was still in one piece after the first turn three incident.

“Honestly, to get back to second it’s huge for us and I will definitely take it, of course, and I’m happy with the drive that I did.”

Mercedes: Ferrari clashes not deliberate
After he became the second Mercedes driver in three races to be hit by a Ferrari driver on the opening lap, Hamilton appeared to allude to possible premeditation from their rivals by describing them as using “interesting tactics”

But asked to clarify this in the post-race press conference, Hamilton before “I don’t have any concerns”.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also said they did not suspect foul play from their rivals, but said he was disappointed the incidents had now happened twice given the calibre of drivers involved.

“None of these things are done deliberately but it is just tiresome,” Wolff told Formula 1.

“It’s the second time in three races that we have been taken out in a very promising position at the beginning. These things shouldn’t be happening with top drivers at the front of the grid.

“If our two drivers make a mistake twice and take the same team out, I would be apologising.”

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(c) Sky News 2018: British GP: Lewis Hamilton promises no let up in ‘intense’ F1 2018