Hamilton overcomes health scare to finish second in Valencia
Sunday, 24 Aug 2008 16:09
The win for Felipe Massa sees Ferrari remain top of the constructors championship.
Lewis Hamilton has revealed he battled health problems to secure second place in the European grand prix at Valencia.
The McLaren driver finished nearly six seconds behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa, and now leads the Brazilian by six points in the drivers' championship.
Starting second on pole, the Briton failed to mount a serious challenge to the Brazilian on the street circuit.
Hamilton said he was struggling with dehydration throughout the weekend in Spain.
"We've had quite a strong weekend," Hamilton said.
"I've had a traumatised weekend - I've had a problem health-wise.
"It was a hot weekend and I didn't have enough water. It was like driving in a sauna, but I'm pretty happy with the way I've come through it.
"I thought we would keep a certain gap and maintain it but [Massa] just stretched it."
Meanwhile, Massa said he was thrilled to have clinched the ninth win of his career to make him the main challenger to Hamilton.
"After such a bad result [in Hungary] we have come here to a new track and we did a fantastic job.
"To get pole, take the win and have the fastest lap, you can't do any more. I am so glad and happy after the disaster in Hungary."
Massa's only scare was going wheel-to-wheel with Force India driver Adrian Sutil after exiting the pit lane, with FIA officials now investigating the incident.
The Brazilian added: "It was a shame to fight with him in the pit lane.
"We were side by side. I was the lead car and he the lapped car, but the gap was narrow and I didn't want to take much of a risk.
"I had to back off and I lost time, but fortunately it was not too much."