Hamilton stretches lead despite mishap

HUNGARORING, Hungary - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton made a string of errors during the 2015 Hungarian GP on Sunday (July 26) but still stretched his points lead over team mate Nico Rosberg to 21.

Hamilton started on pole, collected a drive through penalty for colliding with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, dropped to 15th and finished sixth. He said later:

"Today was one of the worst performances I've put in for a long, long time. I was all over the place., I don't know if it was a lack of concentration or what. I'm going to take it on the chin."

FOUR WINS ALREADY

The two-times champion added: "I definitely had a very bad day in the office. Do I deserve any points? By the grace of God I got some points."

Hamilton had, before the race, spoken of Hungary becoming one of his favourite circuits. He'd won there four times.

READ: As it happened 2015 Hungarian GP

Hamilton dominated practice and qualified more than half a second quicker than Rosberg, who started next to him on the front row of the grid.

Both drivers were passed by the Ferraris after an aborted first start, caused by the Williams of Felipe Massa being out of position, and the afternoon then became a hard slog in dirty air.

Watch: Nico Rosberg's 2015 Hungarian GP wrap

Hamilton, already fourth, went wide at the chicane on Lap 1 and fell down to 10th.

Yet, even when he had dropped down the order, winning still looked possible with him lapping lapping more than a second a lap faster than Rosberg and clawing his way back to fourth.

COLLIDED WITH RICCIARDO

The deployment of the pace car when Force India's Nico Hulkenberg crashed further bunched up the leaders and helped his hand but then came Hamilton's collision with Australian Daniel Ricciardo and the drive-through penalty.

He apologised to his team over the radio for his errors.

READ: Hamilton: 'Very bad day at the office'

Hamilton said: "I pushed right to the end but there were so many obstacles. It's like there were two different directions and each time I chose the wrong one."

With Rosberg running second and looking like he could win and take the championship lead, Hamilton had Ricciardo to thank for then wrecking his team mate's race with a late collision.

Rosberg took a puncture and finished eighth.

Hamilton posted a message about the race on Instagram:

Today was yet another test of overcoming adversity & personal mistakes. I can honestly say, it did not go to plan, but I drove my heart out and I am proud of myself regardless of the outcome. I will grow from this, refocus and come back strong. I think of how supportive #TeamLH is and it keeps me going. So thank you, and remember #wewinandlosetogether #TeamLH #HungarianGP #StilliRise

A photo posted by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) on Jul 26, 2015 at 1:18pm PDT

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