F1 News, Reports and Race Results

'Heart over mind' decision leaves Hamilton in conflict

Lewis Hamilton believes he did the right thing at the end of yesterday's Hungarian Grand Prix, but he also knows his decision is one that could come back to haunt him.

While relinquishing his third place position to team mate Valtteri Bottas was on the surface a simple case of sportsmanship and equity, deeper down radiated an inner conflict for Hamilton, fueled by the knowledge that  "I don't think I'll ever get back those three points."

"The mind is more cut-throat and 'every point counts and this is do or die'," explained the three time world champion.

"But it showed I am a man of my word and also that I am a team player. I am just as much a part of the team as anyone in it. It shows unity."

Hamilton drew upon a charitable value to justify - perhaps more to himself than to anyone else - a a worthy move, especially by F1's cut-throat standards.

"In life, if you do good things, good things come back to you so hopefully globally as a team in our good doing it will pay dividends," said the Mercedes driver.

Still, a conflict lingers. Three points in such a tight battle, against such a formidable opponent as Sebastian Vettel, may prove to be a high price to pay at the end of the season for 'team unity'.

"I lose the world championship, I don't know what I would say then if it is by three points or in that vicinity. But as I said I want to win it the right way."

"In my mind I want to win the championship the right way," Hamilton said.

"I don't know whether that will come back to bite me in the backside or not but I said at the beginning of the year I want to win it the right way and I do think today was the right way to do things.

"We have given up a lot of points up to today," Hamilton concluded.

"Ferrari have given up a lot less as a team. We just hope we don't give up any more points."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Norris: Sprint format changes 'not about the drivers'

McLaren driver Lando Norris says that he doesn't have any strong opinions either way about…

2 hours ago

Mekies promises Miami upgrade to keep RB 'surfing on top'

Visa Cash App RB team principal Laurent Mekies has promised that the squad will be…

4 hours ago

Hamilton warned about life at Maranello amid Newey talk

Lewis Hamilton has been warned that he will need to adjust to the way Ferrari…

5 hours ago

Lauda's maiden F1 win and Ferrari's 50th GP triumph

In this scene immortalized by Bernard Cahier, a jumping-jack Luca di Montezemolo flanked by the…

6 hours ago

Brown glad McLaren isn't getting swept up by 'silly season'

McLaren CEO Zac Brown is happy that his team is well out of the unsettling…

7 hours ago

Komatsu: Final call on 2025 Haas drivers 'down to team owner'

Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu has confirmed that the final choice on who gets…

9 hours ago