The Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport Team enjoyed a special double celebration at the German Grand Prix, after Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas scored a historic one-two result.
The podium lockout at Hockenheim was especially sweet as it came near the Stuttgart home of the Silver Arrows and at the end of a week where both Lewis and Valtteri were confirmed for next season after signing new deals.
The result also lifts Lewis up to the top of the drivers’ championship while the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Team also lead the constructors’ championship once more.
It was a spectacular drive from Lewis, who had started the race down in 14th place and was running in 15th after the first lap. He scythed his way through the field and negotiated a heavy downpour near the end of the race to take the chequered flag.
It was a complete contrast to the disappointment he suffered 24 hours earlier when he was eliminated from qualifying with a hydraulic failure, but he showed the benefit of never giving up.
Lewis said:
“You have got to have the belief it’s possible. It’s great at our second home race to get the one-two particularly after Mercedes just resigned us and shown confidence in us. I’ll never have a race like this.
“You never know when you’re going to have a good race but it’s difficult to know if you’re going to have a better race than the best and this was the best. I just keep believing, keep fighting giving it everything because things will come good.
“Today is one of the most unbelievable days for me, I prayed as I always do before the race and my prayers were really answered and it freaks me out a little bit and to see the biblical storm afterwards… the rain has come down and washed away the negativity and it’s a glorious day, one I’ll always remember.”
Images from practice and qualifying of the the 2018 F1 German Grand Prix
Valtteri sportingly held his position in second place and is optimistic his wait for his first victory in 2018 is only just around the corner. And he has the chance to get that this weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Valtteri added:
“Hopefully we don’t have to wait long but obviously there was a possibility for that today. Always through the race, I knew that it is possible and also things started to unfold quite nicely towards the end of the race with the rain and everything.
“But it was just not for me the best timing for the safety car with the tyres I had. It’s just a matter of time. All the drivers will always want to win but I am in a competitive car so for sure it’s going to happen at some point.”
Credit:Monster