Sickly Hamilton kept going
2008-08-24 22:01
Valencia - A bulky pillow and awkward sleeping position almost kept Lewis Hamilton out of Sunday's European Grand Prix - and wrecked his title dream.
The 23-year-old Englishman, who drove to second place for McLaren Mercedes-Benz to retain his lead in the drivers championship, was close to pulling out because of flu symptoms and severe neck spasms.
"I had to have injections for my neck and luckily I have got a great doctor and a great team or I might not have made it," said Briton Hamilton, 23.
"As it was, it was pretty tough in the race and I had a lot of pain. But I don't think I lost any time in the race because of it - I never lose time!"
Hamilton said it was "touch and go" and that the team had reserve and test driver Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa on standby to replace him.
Hamilton now has 70 points to the victorious Brazilian Felipe Massa's 64 with defending champion Finn Kimi Raikkonen third for Ferrari on 57.
"I have had a miserable weekend really from the day I arrived - I have a lot of flu symptoms, a fever every day.
"I have had low energy, just felt poorly with problems with the spasms in my neck which led to me being in doubt for the weekend and obviously for this race."
He said that "there just isn't enough (drinking) water inside the car and it has been hot all the time. We are inside the cars, in these suits and it is like driving in a sauna."
Hamilton said he did not think his neck problem would cause him trouble at the next race, the Belgian Grand Prix.
And he ignored jokes about his trans-Atlantic relationship with Nicole Sherzinger, lead singer with the Pussycat Dolls.
Felipe Massa revived his world title challenge when he won the European Grand Prix and erased bad memories of his explosive exit from the last leg of the F1 championship in Hungary three weeks earlier.
Strong challenge
The 27-year-old Brazilian had been forced out of the race in Budapest while leading with three laps to go when his Ferrari's engine blew up.
But this time, despite a strong challenge from second-placed s Hamilton in his McLaren-Mercedes, he was able to complete the 57 laps distance and take the chequered flag for the fourth time this season.
"I am so glad, so happy, after such a bad result in Hungary and the way it ended there," said Massa.
"Everyone did a fantastic job for me and it is a great result for the team.
"To take pole, to win the race and to clock the fastest lap, you cannot ask for more than that after such a bad experience in Budapest."
Massa escaped with a caution and a 10 000 euros fine for a pitlane infringement during the race
He faced possible disqualification because he pulled out after his second pit stop and ran alongside German Adrian Sutil's Force India car before giving way at a wall.
"I don't think it is me who did anything wrong, they should have been investigating Adrian," said a flabbergasted Massa afterwards.
"I was the race leader and he was lapped so he should have given way to me anyway.
"There was nothing for him to gain because he would let me go by on the track so it was unnecessary in the pit lane."
- SAPA