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After qualifying in Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton stated that he is not quite fit after his Covid-19 infection. Mercedes Motorsport director Toto Wolff explains why the Brit has returned anyway.
In the end, Max Verstappen was only 86 thousandths faster than Lewis Hamilton in the last Formula 1 qualifying of the year, but the returnees from Formula 1 had to settle for third place behind his teammate Valtteri Bottas. After the time search, Hamilton admitted at his press conference: “I’m not 100 percent yet. I don’t want to go into detail, but I still have problems with my lungs that are strange to the touch. Corona is not to be taken lightly, I’ve been saying that since March. “
The final race of the season would be equally difficult, predicted the 95 GP winner. «I just don’t have all the energy, one of the symptoms of Corona, for example, is that you are exhausted, I have lost weight too. That is why I say: I am not at the same level as before the Bahrain Grand Prix, “said Hamilton. “But I’ll still give it my all,” he added defiantly, emphasizing that “somehow” he would succeed.
Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff says: “Of course, a racing driver always wants to get back in the cockpit as soon as possible, even if he is not yet fully fit in terms of fitness. I think that after a Covid-19 infection, it is not to be expected that someone will be back in top shape right away. But I think he’s definitely fit enough for the race. “
Ultimately, the decision on whether to race should be made by the driver himself, explains the Viennese. “He knows best if he’s fit enough to run or not. He is a very experienced pilot and is very knowledgeable on health issues. It turned out negative and it happens that drivers also compete in races when they are not one hundred percent fit, ”Wolff is sure.
The 48-year-old also commented on the contract negotiations with the seven-time champion: “I hope we do this soon after everything has changed again due to illness. We had planned the relevant meetings last week, but we canceled them again. But we will make it up soon. “
Starting Grid Abu Dhabi
1. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing
2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Mercedes
3. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes
4. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren
5. Alex Albon (T), Red Bull Racing
6. Carlos Sainz (E), McLaren
7. Daniil Kvyat (RUS), AlphaTauri
8. Lance Stroll (CDN), Racing Point
9. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri
10. Esteban Ocon (F), Renault
11. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Renault
12. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari
13. Sebastian Vettel (R), Ferrari
14. Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Alfa Romeo
15. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN), Alfa Romeo
16. George Russell (GB), Williams
17. Pietro Fittipaldi (BR), Haas
18. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams
19. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Racing Point
20. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas
Qualifying, Abu Dhabi
1. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:35 246 mins
2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Mercedes, +0.025 seconds
3. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +0 086
4. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +0.251
5. Alex Albon (T), Red Bull Racing, +0.325
6. Carlos Sainz (E), McLaren, +0.569
7. Daniil Kvyat (RUS), AlphaTauri, +0.717
8. Lance Stroll (CDN), Racing Point, +0,800
9. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +0.819
10. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, +0.996
11. Esteban Ocon (F), Renault, +1,113
12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Renault, +1,160
13. Sebastian Vettel (R), Ferrari, + 1385
14. Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Alfa Romeo, +3.002
15. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Racing Point, no time
16. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN), Alfa Romeo, +2.309
17. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +2,617
18. George Russell (GB), Williams, +2799
19. Pietro Fittipaldi (BR), Haas, +2,927
20. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, +3,197
