Lewis Hamilton says not dwelling on the problems he faced during qualifying helped him end his winless streak at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The defending champion had not won a race since securing the 2015 title with victory in the United States Grand Prix last October, but bounced back from a disrupted qualifying session in Monaco to beat Daniel Ricciardo. It was also only his second win in Monte Carlo and his first since 2008.
Hamilton had been unable to complete his first run in Q3 due to a reliability concern, leaving him third on the grid. However, the 31-year-old says he is now able to forget such issues and enjoyed Saturday night in Monaco to ensure his mindset was positive heading into the race.
“I don’t think I had blown my chances of winning," Hamilton said. "I was third but knowing that being in the dry it would be virtually impossible to win here unless something radical happens and I just couldn’t believe that I was in that situation again, not having the chance to fight.
"I was pretty happy with my lap but with another one I think I could have challenged Daniel. But I brushed it off real quick and after I spoke to you guys [the media] I went and had some fun with some friends.
"I think in my past time I would have been pissed all night long and I would not have enjoyed it. When I was younger I would deny myself of enjoying the rest of the great things that were happening but today I’m in a different place. I brushed myself off, still third, I can still fight from there and I had a great time. I had a beer [on Saturday] night and thought let’s see how tomorrow goes.”
From the cockpit: Felipe Nasr on a controversial Monaco Grand Prix
Scene at the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix
Driver ratings - Monaco Grand Prix
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