Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton mentioned he was nonetheless feeling the after-effects of COVID-19 after qualifying third for Components 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 constructive for the brand new coronavirus and lacking the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain final weekend. He has examined destructive repeatedly this week.
The Briton didn’t wish to go into medical element however mentioned the virus needed to be taken severely 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 one among my arms was hanging off. That is what we do as racing drivers and fortuitously that is not the case,” he added.
“It positively will not be the simplest of races bodily however I’ll handle and provides it completely the whole lot I’ve bought.”
Hamilton clinched his record-equalling seventh championship in Turkey final month and is essentially the most profitable F1 driver of all time.
He has received 11 of 16 races, equalling his greatest season efficiency, however a twelfth win of 2020 can 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 by means of, Hamilton mentioned it was extra about total vitality.
“One of many (COVID) signs is it actually drains you so I am attempting to sleep as a lot as I can,” he mentioned. “However recharging isn’t as straightforward because it maybe usually has been previously.”
Mercedes have received the final six races in Abu Dhabi however Pink 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.
