Lewis Hamilton says his landmark 200th podium in Formula 1 doesn’t overshadow the fact that Mercedes still struggles in high temperatures, after finishing third in the Hungarian Grand Prix.
McLaren took a one-two for the first time in three years with Oscar Piasti leading home Lando Norris, and Hamilton crossing the line nearly 15 seconds adrift of the race-winner. Although Hamilton was able to fight with Max Verstappen and finished ahead of the Red Bull after a late collision between the two, he says it was strategy that put him in that position and the raw performance was lacking in the latter parts of the race.
“I think out of pure pace, we weren’t [quick enough],” Hamilton said. “Unfortunately, we’re still not, in hot conditions particularly… You saw in Austria and here, we’re not able to keep up with these guys.
“But in stint one, I was really surprised to see that I was able to hold on to Max. And I wasn’t even having to push too hard to stay around a second behind him. So I thought at that point that maybe I was in for a chance of at least fighting for that place.
“But then in the second stint, it was a bit of a disaster, it didn’t feel good. And the true pace of the car started to show, on those tires. But we obviously got the undercut and track position is clearly key on this track. And I think that really ultimately made the difference.”
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The result sees Hamilton become the first driver to achieve 200 podium finishes in Formula 1, extending a record he currently holds over Michael Schumacher. While the 39-year-old says the milestone isn’t important to him, he says it was a special podium result in terms of reflecting on the two teams that have helped him reach such a number.
“The number doesn’t, no. I just think about these two [Piastri and Norris] and how young these guys are. They were in nappies when I started!
“No, honestly, it just makes me think about the whole journey and all the great people I’ve had the chance to work with.
“I got signed by McLaren when I was 13 and so there was always so much love for that team and through the journey that we had, where I had my first world championship and then they went through a really difficult time. So to see them back up there is really, really great. I’m really happy. That’s my old family, so really, really grateful to be up here with them.
“Then ultimately I think it was a tough race and I definitely didn’t think I would be having 200 podiums but what have I done? Like 340 something races? So, not too bad a score but I couldn’t have done it without all those great people that I’ve worked with in both these teams.”