Hamilton opens up F1 lead

2008-07-20 16:03

Hockenheim, Germany - Briton Lewis Hamilton opened up a clear lead in this year's Formula One drivers world championship on Sunday when he won a thrilling German Grand Prix for McLaren Mercedes-Benz.

It was the 23-year-old Englishman's second win in succession - the first driver to do so this year - and his fourth this season and the eighth of his career, a feat that hauled him clear of all his rivals and gave McLaren their first win here in 10 years.

Hamilton came home first after being forced to first dominate the race and then, after two safety car interventions, regain the lead thanks to the cautious strategy of the McLaren team.

He drove brilliantly, passing both Brazilian Felipe Massa of Ferrari and then Massa's compatriot Nelson Piquet of Renault with bold moves in the final laps.

Hamilton came home 5.5 seconds ahead of Piquet, who claimed the first podium of his career. Massa finished third.

Hamilton leads the standings by four points from Massa whose Ferrari team-mate defending drivers world champion Finn Kimi Raikkonen is seven points adrift after finishing a disappointing sixth.

Slid backwards

Hamilton had dominated the first half of the race after powering away from the ninth pole position of his career.

The Geneva-based driver had built-up a lead of around 12 seconds by lap 36 when German Timo Glock crashed out in his Toyota. Glock lost control of his car at the last corner when the right rear tyre suddenly deflated sending him spearing into the wall.

The German, 26, slid backwards down the home straight before his wrecked car finally came to a stop.

Glock was clearly dazed after he got out of the Toyota and was later taken to the medical centre and then a local hospital for a check-up, although his condition was described as "fine".

Hamilton was kept out on the track as all his main rivals made their final pit-stops under the safety car.

The Mercedes-powered driver dropped to fifth when he was forced to make his final pit-stop, but soon passed team-mate Heikki Kovalainen for third spot.

Hamilton then hunted down Massa overtaking his rival on lap 57 as he forced his rival wide at the chicane to take second with Nick Heidfeld having pitted for BMW.

Massa attempted to fight back a couple of corners later, but was again forced into the dirt.

- AFP