• German Grand Prix

Hamilton unhappy with new Pirellis

Lewis Hamilton: "I have nothing positive to say about these tyres" © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• German Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Lewis Hamilton

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton was left frustrated after Mercedes rear tyre degradation issues reappeared at the German Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hamilton started from pole position but struggled to fifth after failing to keep the pace with the front runners during the race. At Silverstone Mercedes appeared to get on top of its excessive rear tyre degradation but in Germany, where Pirelli brought a new specification of rear tyres, both cars struggled once more.

"I have to hold myself back," Hamilton said. "I have nothing positive to say about these tyres and I don't understand why we struggled so much on them. That's motor racing, but it's frustrating because the team has worked so hard on them and done such a good job. We've clearly got a good car but it just doesn't work on these tyres.

"The only positive is that we got points. At the last race we had the chance to close the gap to Sebastian but with the tyre blow out it didn't help. Today I had another chance of getting them but they were far too quick. I guess I'm still fourth in the championship, but I lost more ground to them today, and I hope in the future I get another chance."

Asked whether it was frustrating that Mercedes would have to miss the upcoming Silverstone test, where a new specification of tyre will be tested before their introduction for the rest of the season, Hamilton said: "It doesn't help but that's the way it is. We at least got some running when we did the Barcelona test [for which Mercedes was punished with the Silverstone test ban]. We just have to keep pushing forward and pray and hope that when they bring the new batch of tyres they work on our car."

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