Hamilton: I just got wheelspin

Lewis Hamilton started the Japanese Grand Prix from pole position, but a tardy start off a damp and slippery top of the grid slot conspired against him.

Before he knew it he was looking the back of seven of his rivals from eighth place as the field roared into Turn 1 at Suzuka. He recovered well to finish third, but saw himself drop to 33 points behind the leader in the title race. He spoke at the press conference after the race.

Not an easy day for you. The start: what happened there, was it just due to the slippery surface?
Lewis Hamilton: Well, firstly, a big thank you to everyone that came out today. A big congratulations to this team. I’m very, very proud to be a part of it. I’m glad I got some points for the team today. Congratulations to everyone back at the factory at Brixworth and the whole of Mercedes. We couldn’t have done it without all the support we’ve had. I did the best I could from where I was in the race but I’m happy with getting the points.

Now Lewis, the next races, the world championship, Nico leading now – now will we see the best Lewis Hamilton to fight for the championship?
LH: Of course. I’ll give it everything I’ve got, as I did in the race and we’ll see what happens.

At the start obviously you lost ground. What part did the dampness on that side of the race track play, do you think, in your getaway?
I don’t think the damp patch had really anything to do with it. I just had… I made a mistake and then just working my way up from there was tricky but, y’know, I did the best I could.

And the 33 points, four races to go, feelings on that.
LH: That’s a healthy margin for Nico, he did a great job, so congrats to him.

Lewis, your 100th podium in Formula 1 today. If you could just tell us a little bit about, particularly when you went onto the hard tyre you were extremely fast straight away, I think you passed four cars in one lap at that phase of the grand prix, so maybe a word about that. And then about the move at the end. You came over the radio and said Max moved under braking, as if to suggest you weren’t particularly happy about that. Maybe you could clarify what you were saying.
LH: Yeah, the middle stint, the car felt good. Generally the car felt great throughout the race, so it wasn’t really a problem and I’m not really quite sure if I was overtaking backmarkers or not but I was just overtaking whoever I could. Had a good run there. Fought hard at the end but just didn’t make it.

But you were happy with his move to defend?
LH: Well... it doesn’t really matter now. It’s done and we move forwards.

After the first lap where did you think you were going to end up, being in P8, I think?
LH: Honestly I don’t really remember. I can’t remember, I was just far back and I was just looking to go forwards.