From strategy disaster to ‘best race’: Hamilton soaks up Bahrain GP recovery
Photo: Race Pictures
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Lewis Hamilton congratulated Max Verstappen on securing his first victory of the season, while admitting he was ultimately satisfied with his own podium finish in Malaysia after recovering from the strategic setback that had heavily compromised the early stages of his race.
Hamilton completed a strong recovery drive in Malaysia to secure third place after Ferrari’s early strategy left him with significant ground to recover. Both him and Charles Leclerc were sent out on soft tyres while almost the entire rest of the field opted for intermediates on a track that was still damp, a decision that heavily compromised the opening stages of their race.
The Brit gradually worked his way back into contention as the Grand Prix unfolded, before George Russell’s late retirement promoted him to fourth. He then found a way past Isack Hadjar to secure the final place on the podium, salvaging third from a race that had initially looked heavily compromised.
Speaking after the race, the Briton began by congratulating Verstappen on his victory before reflecting on what he described as an extremely difficult Grand Prix, particularly after Ferrari’s incorrect strategic call at the start.
Photo: Race Pictures
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"Big congratulations to Max. What a tough race that was. Obviously we had the wrong call at the beginning, which was so difficult.
"I could see everyone pulling away and I could see on the screen that I was a minute down, and I thought that was kind of race over for us. I just kept my head down. The guys did a great job with the pit stops. Obviously, lots of tyre changes, lots of chasing.
Hamilton nevertheless continued to push despite believing his race could effectively have been over after falling a minute behind. After eventually recovering to the podium, he also reserved special praise for the atmosphere at Sepang, describing it as the best race he had experienced there during his career.
“Honestly, of all the years I’ve been here, this is the best race we’ve had here, but particularly because of this crowd. So, a big thank you to everyone.”
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