World Champion Lewis Hamilton says he wants more Formula 1 race weekends similar to the Turkish Grand Prix to “show what I’m able to do”, after claiming victory at the rain-hit event.
Formula 1 returned to Turkey after a nine-year absence and did so at an Istanbul Park track that lacked grip owing to recent resurfacing works, a predicament accentuated by rain showers through Saturday and Sunday.
Hamilton lined up only sixth on the grid and fell back to the position halfway around the opening lap having initially made up three spots into Turn 1.
But Hamilton worked his way forwards, aided by rivals either making mistakes or pitting for a second time, and prised the lead from Racing Point’s Sergio Perez.
Hamilton went on to claim victory, the 94th of his Formula 1 career, by a margin of 31 seconds, as he also sealed the 2020 championship.
“I want more of these weekends,” said Hamilton. “More tricky conditions like this. The more opportunities like this, the more I’m able to show what I’m able to do.
“I think hopefully you can see… I think I deserve my respect. I think I have that with my peers. I think they can see how hard… they will know how hard [the race] was, particularly that it is not a car thing [that made the difference].
“However, I couldn’t have done this without that amazing group of people behind me – but there is another great driver who is alongside me, who has the same car who obviously didn’t finish where I finished.”
Hamilton also conveyed gratification at being able to battle long-time rival Sebastian Vettel once more – though joked he was annoyed at being stuck behind the Ferrari driver.
“I was behind Seb and for a moment I was thinking I might get past him but then me and him were having this battle and it was so frustrating not to be able to get past him,” he said.
“But also I was thinking, “you know what, Seb has had the toughest year, I would say arguably perhaps in his whole career” and I just thought he was driving so well.
“But at the same time I was like, ‘he’s doing so good, but dammit, he’s in the way, the guys up ahead are getting away!’”
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