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Hamilton: Sochi my toughest weekend since Baku
Lewis Hamilton believes he knows why he lacked his usual frontrunning pace in the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, which he likened to his troubled weekend at Baku last year.
Charles Bradley
Edited: Apr 30, 2017, 5:59 PM
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Hamilton finished a frustrated fourth at Sochi, and remains in second place in the F1 world championship behind Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.
The Briton crossed the finish line over 36 seconds behind teammate and race winner Valtteri Bottas.
"It's been a very tough weekend," admitted Hamilton, who finished in the same position that he qualified.
"I can't remember having as difficult a weekend, probably last time was I can remember was probably Baku.
"Ultimately [I was] not quick enough, could not put the car where I was comfortable, and then in the race it was overheating so I just had to settle for fourth.
"Once I'd got round the first couple of laps I was basically stuck where I was."
When asked if he had an idea what the issues were, Hamilton replied: "Through the race I understood it, yeah. Speed-wise I think I know where it is, I'll try and fix it for the next one.
"We've had great success here over the years, and I just wish I could have backed it up in terms of points. But I held on, did the best I could with what I had in the end."
First lap close call
Hamilton also explained the opening moments of the race, when he became pincered between Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and the Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo through Turn 1.
"I had Kimi right next to me, pushing me to the left, I didn't even know Daniel was there if I'm really honest," added Hamilton.
"Fortunately I didn't get any damage as far as I'm aware. But definitely [I] was not very quick this weekend."
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