Honda: 'Hamilton has been lucky a few times and this was one of them'
Max Verstappen's world title means Honda have ended its time in Formula 1 on a high. The Japanese engine manufacturer will not be completely absent from the sport next year, however, as Red Bull Racing will continue to count on them to support the development of its own engine project: Red Bull Powertrains. Masashi Yamamoto, General Manager of Honda, looks back on an exciting last season in the premier class of motor racing for the engine supplier.
The first race weekend of the year in Bahrain showed that Red Bull had a very competitive car, something that surprised friend and foe alike. Verstappen was immediately competing with Lewis Hamilton for the win in that race, but after his overtaking manoeuvre, he had to give the spot back due to exceeding track limits. It was a controversial decision, as Hamilton was found to have committed the same infraction throughout most of the race, although none of them came while battling for position.
Honda saw Hamilton often get lucky
The Mercedes driver was not penalised for this, however, and so took his first win of the season. It wasn't to dampen the fun at Red Bull and Honda though, as Verstappen's strong race exceeded all expectations. "By then we knew we were fast enough, so we finished the first race with the feeling that there was a whole season to look forward to," Yamamoto told Japanese Autosportweb.
Next, Yamamoto saw the would-be world champion drive a perfect race in Imola, but at the same time he saw Hamilton get away with a costly mistake very well. "Lewis made a mistake, went off the track and lost a lot of time. However, the red flag allowed his car to be repaired and he was able to restart in the same lap. Lewis has been lucky a few times this season and this was one of them," the Honda chief observed.
How was that that he did not mention those benefits that Max had? In motor racing anything can happen it's not about what, but
Hamilton made many mistakes over the season and got favors from the stewards . He deserved a stiffer penalty in Silverstone too. Not to mention Jeddah and Abu Dhabi. But he got away with it. Thankfully though his luck ran out and as the saying goes Karma is a Xxxzz Lewis ???
Luck,either bad or good is as part of the sport as is fuel and rubber..... Drivers has in the past driven perfect races only to be denied on the last lap due to engine/gearbox,tire blow out issues. That bad luck for sum,meant good luck for others..... Nothing new to see here folks.
It's obvious he was lucky in Imola. But that wasn't his fault, he took advantage of a red flag, got away with a decent haul of 18 points despite making a big mistake. This was his chance. As people should underatand Max had his chance in Abu Dhabi. Those who don't understand it, can't or they're not willing to. Sport, and especially motor racing is not exact science. If it were, then no hazard could ever take place. I think Toto didn't count on this while smirking before the race. That Merc was 3-4 tenths a lap faster. Until karma intervened :))
If Hamilton is the GOAT, then why is it that he >Failed to turn left in Imola and was only saved by a convenient Russell x Bottas crash? >failed to turn left at Baku? >failed to qualify better in Monaco? >got BTFO by Alonso in Hungary? >disappeared in Austria? >forced his own DNF at Monza? >got outqualified by a Williams at Spa, even though he's the rainmaster? >got fifth in Turkey, even though he is le rainmaster and started P10, while Verstappen started 20th and got 2nd the race before Turkey? >didn't manage to defend in France? >didn't manage to overtake Verstappen in USA? >didn't manage to defend in Abu Dhabi on the last lap, when Checo could do it on used softs for 2 laps?
3000000000000 RBR Articles in 3 weeks hahaha, this site is a joke I tell you. Trying in vain to validate a fake win, no amount of articles will change the fact that this championship was a farce.
True. It's not easy when a paper champ is getting gifted 7 hollow titles. Fake, kneeling, rainbow headed, woke agenda promoter, crybaby Loo-Loo was not supported again by the commonwealth machine for a lap and he lost again at the first challenge. What a shame of a so called champ.
Popular on GPBlog
Kelly Piquet shines during baby shower on Max Verstappen's brand new yacht
British media respond to Verstappen's 'flawless' Japanese Grand Prix drive where he 'stole' victory
Hamilton's former teammate saw a 'brilliant' Verstappen: 'Pure demonstration of power'
