Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton mentioned he was nonetheless feeling the after-effects of COVID-19 after qualifying third for Method One’s Abu Dhabi season-ender however vowed to present his all in Sunday’s race.
The 35-year-old Mercedes driver has returned after testing optimistic for the brand new coronavirus and lacking the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain final weekend. He has examined unfavorable repeatedly this week.
The Briton didn’t wish to go into medical element however mentioned the virus needed to be taken critically and he felt for all those that had suffered from it or had been mourning misplaced family members.
“I’m not 100%, I nonetheless have some feeling inside my lungs,” he mentioned.
“Usually, I might drive even when considered one of my arms was hanging off. That’s what we do as racing drivers and fortuitously that’s not the case,” he added.
“It positively gained’t be the simplest of races bodily however I’ll handle and provides it completely every thing I’ve acquired.”
Hamilton clinched his record-equalling seventh championship in Turkey final month and is essentially the most profitable F1 driver of all time.
He has gained 11 of 16 races, equalling his finest season efficiency, however a twelfth win of 2020 could be the icing on the cake of one other stellar season that has seen Mercedes take each titles for the seventh 12 months in a row.
Requested whether or not adrenalin had carried him via, Hamilton mentioned it was extra about general power.
“One of many (COVID) signs is it actually drains you so I’m making an attempt to sleep as a lot as I can,” he mentioned. “However recharging is just not as straightforward because it maybe usually has been up to now.”
Mercedes have gained the final six races in Abu Dhabi however Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen seized pole place on Saturday with Hamilton’s Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas becoming a member of him on the entrance row.
Verstappen and Bottas are preventing for the runner-up place within the championship, with the Finn 16 factors away from the Dutchman.
