Formula 1

Only three can win without best car - de la Rosa

Global Motorsport Media

Published: Nov 14, 2011, 4:39 PM

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Pole winner Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, second place Lewis Hamilton, McLaren Mercedes, third place Fernando Alonso, Scuderia Ferrari

Only three current F1 drivers can win Grands Prix without sitting in the best car.

Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso

Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso

Photo by: xpb.cc

That is the claim of McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa, who hailed Lewis Hamilton's return from poor form to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

"I had the feeling he always had a few tenths in his pocket, and his pace on the hard tyres was very strong," the veteran Spaniard is quoted by EFE news agency.

"For me, Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso are the only drivers who can win Grands Prix without having the best car on the grid," added de la Rosa.

A happy Hamilton said after winning on Sunday that beating his old nemesis Fernando Alonso made the victory feel even more special.

"I think it was one of my best races. I said that to myself as I slowed down, just being able to hold off one of the best drivers in the world throughout the race is something that is very, very tough to do," said the Briton.

I think it was one of my best races

Lewis Hamilton

Alonso's second place, meanwhile, means the Ferrari driver has now collected a trophy from every circuit he has ever raced on in Formula One.

"I have them from all the circuits that I have raced on in Formula One ... so now I have completed all the circuits," he smiled. "So, (I'm) happy."

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Previous article Happy Hamilton wins but Button second in 2011 title

Next article Pirelli to probe Vettel's 'unusual' tyre problem

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