Hamilton was sure he could win after the rain fell

  • Published on 17 Sep 2017 17:42
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton knew he would win the Singapore Grand Prix after he realised it was raining. The Brit started the race from fifth on the grid but was up to first after the opening lap, due to retirements from Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton remained in front to the chequered flag and didn't come under any pressure from Daniel Ricciardo behind, who was the favourite of many to take the victory after Friday practice. Speaking to Sky Sports post-race, Hamilton described his emotions after his seventh victory of 2017.

"I didn’t pray for a miracle or for anything to happen but when it rained I thought ‘this is it, I can win from fifth’. I was sure I could do something and then everyone disappeared. I was really happy, no mistakes, a well-controlled race in those conditions.

"Coming here with the idea of damage limitation, thinking ‘I’m going to come out of here behind in the championship again’ and now I’m further ahead. I definitely count my blessings and don’t take it for granted. I just saw commotion at the beginning. I took a really wide line into Turn 1 thinking they might trail into me. Fortunately, I passed before that happened and Kimi went into Verstappen.

"Sebastian span right in front of me so I was hoping he wouldn’t collect me. And then I was in the lead and I like this position. I don’t know if it’s karma [for Baku] but whatever it is I will definitely take it. I love the positivity and energy that’s come from today. I love dancing in the rain and I’m grateful for it. This is our weakest circuit so to come away with the win, couldn’t be happier."

Hamilton now holds a 28 point lead in the championship, the largest margin he or rival Vettel has had this season. With only six races left in the 2017 season, Ferrari's double DNF could well be the turning point in the constructor's championship, as it now trails Mercedes by 102 points.

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Not to mention the amount of sheer luck he got

    • + 0
    • Sep 17 2017 - 18:02
  • blade

    Posts: 341

    wow. after all the bad luck H got last year I think he deserved a bit.

    • + 0
    • Sep 17 2017 - 19:21

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,918
  • Podiums 109
  • Grand Prix 203
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar