The 35-year-old secured the fastest lap at the Hungaroring to earn an extra point and he says taking the risk was worth the reward to help ensure he’s got nothing to regret when the season ends.
“Well, ultimately we have to weigh-up the risks and… I mean I didn’t push so much that I was going to make a mistake and go off,” Hamilton said. “So it was a fully controlled lap.
“Look, I’ve lost World Championships in the past by one point, so I know how crucial it is to maximise on every moment and we’re in a year when you don’t know what reliability is going to be like; you don’t know how long the season’s going to be.
“So, yes, Valtteri had a great, particularly, first race. At the time he had the fastest lap, I had the gap, and felt that it was necessary to get that point, particularly as I felt that I’d earned the gap that I had.
“But things like the extra pit stop, coming in, all these different things do add to the risk factors. But, look, we’re a professional team and so long as we continue to do… y’know, keep our heads on, stay focussed, I believe it was the right decision to make.”
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