Hamilton 'fought with the spirit of Niki’ to win Monaco GP
Lewis Hamilton says he was “fighting with the spirit” of the late Niki Lau🌠da on his way to claiming victory in Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix.
Hamilton held off Max Verstappen - who later drop🍸ped to fourth following a time penalty - and survived late💃 contact with the Red Bull driver during a tense race to record his third win around the streets of Monte Carlo.
Vi♏ctory strengthened Hamilton’s championship lead and after the race, the five-time world champion said he was determined to win the race for Lauda, who died earlier this week at the age of 70.
Lewis Hamilton says he was “fighting with the spirit” of the late Niki Lauda on his way to claiming victory in Formula 🌳1’s Monaco Grand Prix.
Hamilton held off Max Verstappen - who later dropped to fourth following a time penalty - and survived late contact with the Red ꦜBull driver during a tense race to record his third win around the str𒈔eets of Monte Carlo.
Victory strengthened Hamilton’s c💝hampionship lead and a🌸fter the race, the five-time world champion said he was determined to win the race for Lauda, who died earlier this week at the age of 70.
“That was definꦉitely the hardest race I’ve had,” Hamilton said.
“I really was fighting with🐎 the spirit of Niki - he's 𓆉been such an influence in our team and I know he will be looking down and taking his hat off.
“I was trying to stay focused and make him proud that it's been the goal all week and we truly miss himꦯ.”
That was for you, Niki. Your fighting spirit was right there with me every step of the way. I know you are looking down and taking your h𝓰at off to us. I miss you, we truly miss you and I hope we did you proud today, legend.
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton)
Hamilton had to complete 67 laps ജon less durable tyres than the drivers behind him and despite voicing his concerns on multiple occasions over team radio that he would not be able to make them last to the end, the Briton managed to fend off Verstappen’s late attack.
“I've not driven on ܫempty tyres sin🤪ce 2007 when McLaren left me out in Shanghai for such a long time,” he added.
“It was intense but I was never going to come in, I learnt the hard way in 2015💎 when I pitted for new tyres and lost the race - so I wasn't going to com𒁏e in whether I crashed or finished.
“Ultimately it was the wrong tyre, if you look at my back tyre we touched at the🐭 chicane but the team has done an incredible job an🌸d I'm so proud to be a part of it and I hope I can continue to do well.”
Asked about Verstappen’s failed overtaking attempt that resulted in light contact betweeဣn the pair, Hamilton replied: “It was close, it was a late dive by Max.
“Luckily I saw him last minute📖, I think his front wing was beside my rear wheel, I was scared that I had no tyres left."
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for wuqian0821.com around the w🧸orld. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
