LEWIS HAMILTON admits he’s nonetheless combating Covid-19 after an out-of-sorts efficiency in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP.
Hamilton coughed and spluttered within the press convention after he sealed third place on the grid behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen, who took pole.
Lewis Hamilton was clearly struggling for health throughout qualifying Credit score: Getty Photos – Getty
The Dutchman’s flying lap was sensational as he claimed his and Purple Bull’s first pole of the season whereas Hamilton confronted questions on testing optimistic following his win in Bahrain.
The world champion was compelled into isolation and missed the Sakhir GP last weekend, throughout which era he mentioned he was bed-bound and remains to be feeling the affect of the illness.
Hamilton, who has since examined unfavourable, had beforehand prevented questions on his situation throughout his sickness till he was requested by SunSport.
He mentioned: “I do not need to essentially go into an excessive amount of element of all of it, however like I mentioned again in Australia, simply how severe the virus is.
“I can actually really feel for individuals who have suffered from it and those that have misplaced ones from it, I can perceive how as a result of it is a nasty virus.
“I am not 100%. I nonetheless have some feeling inside my lungs however nonetheless, usually I’d drive if one in all my arms was hanging off.
“That is what we do as racing drivers and by chance that is not the case.
“It positively will not be the best of races bodily however I’ll handle and provides it completely every little thing I’ve.”
Hamilton, who has already wrapped up his seventh world title, says he’s feeling drained – one of many key signs of the illness together with a cough and a shortness of breath.
He added: “It is total vitality. One of many signs is that it actually drains you. So I have been making an attempt to sleep as a lot as I can however recharging is just not as straightforward because it has been prior to now.
“I’ve misplaced quantity of weight, so I am not 100% the identical as I used to be the final time I raced, nevertheless it’s not at all going to get in the best way of me popping out and giving it my all tomorrow.”
Hamilton is now trying to end his record-equalling season on a excessive together with his twelfth victory of this truncated season.
He mentioned: “In fact, it is all the time good to start out first however you may’t all the time, and this makes it much more thrilling,” he mentioned.
“It is a very troublesome monitor I believe to overhaul naturally however with technique and every little thing I believe we are able to.
“The beginning goes to be essential, first few laps, these stints — I am positively excited making an attempt to determine the best way to flip it round.”
In the meantime, Purple Bull boss, Christian Horner was delighted to see Verstappen score his first pole of 2020 – breaking a 100% Mercedes-powered document.
He added: “So many occasions this 12 months we have sat in that third-place seat.
“Max really took it dwelling with him on the press convention on Thursday however he is simply strung collectively a superb lap on the finish.
“It is so tight, lower than a tenth between the highest three vehicles. He was gutted to overlook out final week and to place that lap collectively to get that pole was an outstanding efficiency.”
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