"I said to myself 'that's it, he got me" ": Hamilton tells about his" horrible "end of the race under pressure from Verstappen

How did you experience the duel of the last laps?

It was horrible (laughs)!

It wasn't great.

I had to fight to the end with the rear of my car (which has been a problem for Mercedes since winter testing, editor's note) and my rear tires, which had maybe eight laps or something more than those by Max (Verstappen).

Ten laps from the end, I knew he was going to catch up with me.

I figured it was going to be almost impossible to keep him behind, which indeed was the case until the Turn 4 incident (where on lap 53 Verstappen overstepped the limits of the track overtaking Hamilton, before having to leave the first place to the British, editor's note).

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When did you know the victory was achieved?

At first I couldn't believe I was able to keep him behind me.

I managed to keep him in my wake.

Then it was difficult for him in some places to approach on this circuit.

In the end I think it was really on the last lap, once I passed turn 4, that I told myself that I was in a good position.

But then there was an oversteer at turn 10, nervousness at turn 11, another oversteer at turn 13 ... I thought to myself: That's it, he got me ”.

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The duel with Verstappen is promising for the fans.

For you too ?

I'm super happy for the fans that they are excited, this is something every fan has wanted for a long time.

I hope for many more from these races with Max ... and Valtteri (Bottas, his teammate, 3rd, editor's note).

It's a long way to go before the end of the season.

There are 22 races left!

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Bahrain GP tops / flops: Hamilton on the wire, Gasly on the ropes