F1 News
Mercedes chief picks favourite Hamilton moment with a "lurking Verstappen"
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes enjoyed many great successes together, which leaves many highlights over the past 12 years to choose one from. James Allison was asked in the German racing stable's debrief to pick his favorite memory of the seven time world champion and the technical chief's choice is rather peculiar.
"It is hard choice that is because it is a rich gallery of experiences over these seasons. And although I am a Johnny-come-lately to the team, I have been there through thick and thin, through four drivers' championships with him and five constructors, so there is a lot to choose from!" Allison stated post Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
For the 56-year-old Briton's favourite moment, we have to go back to the summer of seven years ago. "I have said, given this answer previously, and I tend to default back to Hungary 2017, where Lewis had been allowed to go past Valtteri to have a go at the Ferraris in front. He did not make the progress we had hoped, but then honoured his pledge that if he were given a chance to fight the Ferraris and could not make it stick, that he would let Valtteri have the place back."
A tricky Verstappen
However, things were not as simple as the now former Mercedes driver, nor his team had envisioned with a "lurking Max Verstappen" in P5. "The way that was conducted was extremely tense, extremely difficult to execute cleanly, because there was a lurking Verstappen there that made it really hard to do. And Lewis did it and did it with real class. I think that showed the sort of essential fairness that is in Lewis' character, right alongside this sort of snarling competitor that we all also greatly admire," closed Allison.
Bottas thus finished third on the podium at the Hungaroring. He crossed the line 12.4 seconds behind winner Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton (at 12.8 seconds) and Max Verstappen (at 13.2 seconds) finished behind. So three drivers finished the Grand Prix within a second.
This article was written with the assistance of Corwin Kunst
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