Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has said that he was proud to win the German Grand Prix because of his long connections with Mercedes-Benz.
For the second week in a row, the British driver beat his teammate Nico Rosberg off the line despite starting second after the German had a poor start and fell to fourth at the first corner.
The win is his sixth in the last seven races, the best run of wins in his career, equalling his run between the 2014 Italian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix. Hamilton extends his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 19 points after Rosberg finished in fourth.
Beginning his podium interview, Hamilton said that he was pleased to see support from the fans at Hockenheim.
“Well first please let me start with a big thank you to all the fans that have come out today. To see so many people here and great sportsmen[ship] from the people here, and I’ve got a lot of flags out here. I just appreciate you all coming.”
He also praised his team for the preparation of his car, allowing him to control the race and take a third victory in the country, his first since 2011, and his first for Mercedes after two previous wins at McLaren.
“What a race, obviously yesterday [qualifying in] second place, but what a great start. My engineers did a fantastic job. The balance was amazing, and it was all just about keeping it cool and looking after the engine and I’m just so happy I can be up here for Mercedes-Benz, who I’ve been with since I was 13, so this is very, very proud position for me to be in. So [a] big thank you to the team who, as I said, did an amazing job.
“I think, well today, I didn’t make any mistakes. So in my heart I’m happy with what I did today, I came to do a job, and yesterday wasn’t perfect, but you learn from those things and today [I] was real sure at looking at the glass half full and filling it up today.
Despite interviewer Kai Abel’s suggestions, Hamilton said his focus over the sport’s summer break was to relax.
“I won’t be going skydiving but definitely be relaxing, I’ll have my dogs with me, and with family and friends. I think the whole team, everyone back at the factory, everyone here, have worked so hard this first half of the season and they all need a break, we all need a break, so I think it’s really well earned from everyone, so a big thank you.”
