Hamilton left to chase, but 'it won't be like Silverstone'

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Lewis Hamilton's botched qualifying session has left the Mercedes driver with a complicated task for Sunday's German Grand Prix.

A bumpy and damaging ride over Hockenheim's Turn 1 kerbs in Q1 led to a hydraulic failure that sidelined the reigning world champion's Mercedes for the remainder of the grid-defining session.

For the second race in succession, albeit for very different reasons, Hamilton will be forced to chase from behind.

But while Silverstone was well suited for a charge through the field that yielded a second-place finish, Hockenheim's very different layout likely won't offer Hamilton the same chance for a comeback drive.

Vettel takes German GP pole, Hamilton set to start P14

"It definitely was a tough one but these things happen," Hamilton said after qualfying.

"All you can do is try and gather your thoughts and live to fight another day, another opportunity to rise, so I’ll give everything tomorrow to see how high I can get up but it’s not going to be like Silverstone.

"I’m sure I’ll be able to get through to some point, but to where I don’t know."

Hamilton denied the W09's hydraulic failure was the result of his riding the Turn 1 kerb at full speed, insisting the issue occurred before that point.

His efforts to push the car back to the pitlane - a long haul by the way - were quickly abandoned when he noticed an oil leak on the car.

"You use the kerb the same every lap. Just before the kerb I think the steering broke so I think that’s the issue.

"I saw there was leaking oil and I knew that I had to stop and let them put the car away somewhere. I have the will to not want to give up, I just want to keep pushing."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.