Hamilton wins in Hockenheim
Sunday, 20 Jul 2008 21:07
After winning in Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton made in two in a row with victory in Hockenheim
Lewis Hamilton earned back-to-back Formula One victories with a stunning win in the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
Hamilton's McLaren had been quickest in qualifying and it continued in that vein as he sped into a two-second lead on the opening lap.
The win would have been comfortable but for a questionable strategic decision by his McLaren team.
They decided not to send the 23-year-old into the pits during a safety car period.
When the Englishman did finally pit under racing conditions he dropped back to fourth position.
His McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen let Hamilton pass, and he was then able to pick off Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Renault's Nelson Piquet to regain the lead.
Piquet was a surprise runner-up having started the race in 14th position.
He held off the challenge of Massa to secure his first podium position.
Massa's Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen had a disappointing day, finishing the race in sixth position, exactly where he had started from on the grid.
Renault's Fernando Alonso was all the way back in 11th after a frustrating afternoon which saw him spin off late in the race.
Hamilton now has a four-point lead over Massa at the top of the championship table, with defending champion Raikkonen a further three points behind.