Hamilton: That is motor racing

Sunday 22nd April 2012

Hamilton: That is motor racing

Hamilton: That is motor racing

Lewis Hamilton has urged McLaren to launch an investigation into his two botched pit stops, which he says could ultimately cost him the title.

After an intense start to the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton was running in a solid third place when he came in for his first pit stop of the afternoon.

Disaster struck when, in a repeat of team-mate Jenson Button's issues from China, his mechanics struggled with the left-rear wheelnuts which dropped Hamilton well down the order.

The Brit set about fighting his way back through the field only for a similar issue to occur on his second stop.

This prompted another fightback with Hamilton, who had a trouble-free third stop, finishing the race down in eighth place, almost a minute off the pace.

"There should be (an investigation) because we gave a lot of points away today which Championships are lost from," he told Sky Sports F1.

"So we have to try and make sure we pick up on the next race because we can't afford to lose points like we did today."

But despite his double disappointment, the 27-year-old refused to lash out at his McLaren team.

"It's motor racing," he said.

"I had no idea what went on but I was hoping the second time I came in I wouldn't have that problem, or I was hoping that it would be a good pit stop.

"But it was exactly the same, if not a little bit longer than the previous one. So a lot of ground lost today but we still picked up some points so I've got to be happy with that."

He added: "There weren't many positives for me, no. Just the four points are the only positive I can take out of today.

"My pace wasn't great, really struggling to look after my rear tyres throughout the day. But picked some time at the end of the stint and looked after my tyres.

"As I said, I got everything I could out of the car."

Related Links
Bahrain GP: Vettel returns to winning ways
Gallery: Sunday's pictures from Sakhir

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