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 30 August 2008 18:03 BST

Hamilton surprised at McLaren strategy

Sunday, 20 Jul 2008 15:58
Hamilton was one of only three cars not to pit following Timo Glock's crash
Lewis Hamilton admitted he was surprised with his McLaren's team's race strategy, despite coming out on top in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

Hamilton had dominated the opening part of the race, but was one of only three drivers not to pit when the safety car came out following Timo Glock's crash on the pits straight on lap 35.

Even McLaren team boss Ron Dennis admitted that they had "got it a bit wrong".

When Hamilton did eventually pit he found himself in fourth, with a lot of ground to make up on Felipe Massa and surprise package Nelson Piquet.

"I would have preferred a comfortable afternoon out in front," Hamilton said.

"We had got off to a good start and had two decent stints and the team opted for me to stay out but I think I needed a 23-second gap in about seven laps so I don't know how that would have worked out.

"For sure we will learn from this and move on. But we still had the best and quickest car this weekend and we came out on top.

Hamilton was thankful to his team-make Heikki Kovalainen who, following Hamilton's pit-stop let him pass to take third place, and put him in a position where he could catch Massa and Piquet.

"I came out behind Heikki and I have to say a big thank you to Heikki, who has been a great teammate," Hamilton said.

"He didn't put up a huge fight and saw that I was quicker."

Piquet was overjoyed with the first podium position of his career, and the first for his Renault team this season.

"I don't even know where to start," said Piquet. "The car was getting better and better in practice, and we were going well until qualifying, where I didn't have a very good run in the first session, and then when on the second run I got a bit of traffic, and that was it, so I started from the back.

"I thought that was how I'd finish my weekend, but then we became quite lucky with these safety car rules. The team did a good decision by pulling me in at the right time.
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