• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
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Hamilton 'gutted' to retire from the lead

ESPN Staff
November 4, 2012 « Vettel delighted with damage limitation | Button powerless to hold off Vettel »
Lewis Hamilton: "I'd love to take a win or two more for McLaren" © Sutton Images
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Lewis Hamilton said he was "gutted" to retire from the lead at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a strong performance all weekend.

A loss of fuel pressure brought his McLaren to a halt while comfortably leading the race on lap 20. After qualifying on pole position and easily building up a lead after the start and again after a safety car, Hamilton said he was disappointed to notch up another DNF.

"I'm gutted; I'd had really good pace all weekend and I feel certain we could have won today," he said. "I had a fuel pressure problem - it was very sudden, I was just entering a corner and the car just died on me.

"The only mistake I made all weekend was having a brief moment on lap two, when my brakes weren't fully up to temperature and I locked up into Turn Eight. After that, however, everything was going really well. The car was a dream to drive - I was cruising and still pulling away when I had my problem."

Hamilton now has just two races left before he leaves McLaren for Mercedes and he is hoping he can secure at least one more victory.

"We'll have more opportunities in Austin and Sao Paulo," he said. "I hope we can get back to the front - I'd love to take a win or two more for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes before the end of the season."

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