Breaking news
Formula 1
'Risk taker' Hamilton beats Vettel on Top Gear
Now with Mercedes, the 2008 Formula One world champion had a blast breaking a record that Sebastian Vettel owned.
GMM
Edited: Feb 18, 2013, 9:28 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Feb.18 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton could not contain his smile as he smashed Sebastian Vettel's lap record on the British motoring television show Top Gear.
The 2008 world champion's existing lap of the show's test track in a Suzuki Liana, set on a wet and slippery track some years ago, was bettered by seven tenths by current world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Everyone is criticising it, but for me, I've been at McLaren since I was 13 and I want a change -- I'm a risk taker.
Lewis Hamilton
Asked if that has irritated him, Hamilton admitted to presenter Jeremy Clarkson: "Uh huh.
"He's had the best car (in F1) for god knows how many years, and he's also (been) the quickest on top gear," said the Briton.
Hamilton's new time around the Top Gear test track - actually the Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey - was 1.42.9, more than a full second quicker than German Vettel.
Clarkson called the feat "unbelievable".
Clarkson was, however, less impressed with Hamilton's move from McLaren to Mercedes, comparing it with leaving Manchester United in order to play for West Ham.
Hamilton answered: "Everyone is criticising it, but for me, I've been at McLaren since I was 13 and I want a change -- I'm a risk taker."
But the 28-year-old warned that Mercedes has "really struggled" in the past few years, and so his fans should "definitely not expect" early poles and wins in 2013.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W04
Photo by: XPB Images
Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda, however, told Italy's Griglia di Partenza programme that the performance of the new W04 was "not bad" at the recent Jerez test.
"We wanted Lewis Hamilton because he is a phenomenon, but we are also very pleased with Nico Rosberg.
"Now it's up to us to give them a car capable of winning."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Alguersuari decries F1 seat 'auction'
Next article Vettel's Red Bull contract 'long term' - Lauda
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Lewis Hamilton
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
More from
Mercedes
‘I’ll put a pillow under his butt’ – How Toto Wolff wants to solve Kimi Antonelli’s track limits problem
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
‘I’ll put a pillow under his butt’ – How Toto Wolff wants to solve Kimi Antonelli’s track limits problem
George Russell calls Red Bull "the team to beat" in F1, but Kimi Antonelli adds a key caveat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
George Russell calls Red Bull "the team to beat" in F1, but Kimi Antonelli adds a key caveat
Latest news
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
2 h
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 3 h
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
4 h
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 6 h
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe