Lauda doubts Bianchi tribute contributed to Hamilton slump

  • Published on 05 Aug 2015 10:52
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Niki Lauda has played down suggestions the Jules Bianchi tragedy may have contributed to Lewis Hamilton's bad performance in Hungary. As Mercedes failed to make the podium for the first time in the new 'power unit' era, Hamilton apologised to the team and admitted he was "all over the place". "I don't know if it was a lack of concentration or what," the reigning world champion, and 2015 championship leader, added.

Just prior to the start of the race, the drivers congregated at the front of the grid for a minute's silence with Jules Bianchi's parents, a few days after many - including Hamilton - attended their late rival's funeral in Nice. Subsequent reports indicated some drivers, including Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat, had been badly affected by the tribute.

Hamilton's boss Niki Lauda, however, played that down. "(Winner Sebastian) Vettel was also in the minute's silence," the F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman said, "and he drove a great race. I don't think that would affect the drivers, but of course I cannot look into their souls. Lewis apologised to the team, and we respect that," Lauda added.

Lauda said Mercedes' race was marred most significantly by Hamilton and teammate Nico Rosberg's bad starts, just one race before an FIA clampdown comes into effect for Spa. "It was a wake-up call at the right time," said the great Austrian. "Now we can calmly analyse everything so that these many small errors do not occur again." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 03:32

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 03:32

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 194
  • Podiums 3
  • Grand Prix 93
  • Country Russian
  • Date of b. Apr 28 1994 (31)
  • Place of b. Ufa, Russian
  • Weight 58 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar