F1: Year Ended On A High, Says Hamilton

Formula 1

F1: Year Ended On A High, Says Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton was racing for the lead in his final start for McLaren when an accident ended his day early in Brazil...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted November 28, 2012 Sao Paulo (BRA)

Lewis Hamilton wrecked out of the Brazilian GP. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Lewis Hamilton says he ended his year on a high, despite retiring from the lead for third time in three races in Brazil.

Hamilton had worked his way into the lead when he was hit by a spinning Nico Hulkenberg.

“In myself, I feel comfortable to go away in the winter,” said Hamilton. “I feel like I did a good job, I gave it everything, and I couldn’t really have done any more.

“I think I still ended up on a high. I won the next-to-last race, I got pole position here (Brazil), I was leading the race. The team was competitive (in Brazil) and they obviously got a win, and congratulations to Jenson (Button, McLaren teammate), and also to Sebastian (Vettel, World Champion). I’m happy, I’m quite chilled.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton made clear his frustration with Hulkenberg, and also said that he would have preferred to stay out during the first rain shower, as did teammate Jenson Button, rather than stop for intermediates.

“It was a team choice, probably the wrong choice,” Hamilton said. “I was struggling, anyway, so it didn’t really make a huge difference, and I was very fortunate that the safety car came out.

“After that, I had no problems, and I got into the lead. Hulkenberg was real quick, that car was obviously very good; it just needs to have more consistent drivers, I would say.

“I can’t really say much about it, really. It was a silly situation to be in. I was on the outside, I left plenty of room and he just came straight into me.

“That’s what happens when you’re racing with the less-experienced drivers.”

Hamilton cannot officially start work for his new employer, Mercedes, until 2013: “At the moment, it’s not until the first of January, unfortunately, but if Martin (Whitmarsh, McLaren team boss) is nice enough to let me go a bit earlier, then who knows?”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.

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