Hamilton: Bad start was my faultposted in F109 | 10 | 2016

UNDER PRESSURE LEWIS HAMILTON took full responsibility for the poor start which wrecked his hopes of winning the Japanese Grand Prix, and further damaged his hopes of retaining his world championship.

And the three-times world champ was quick to stress the mistake had nothing to do with the narrow strip of damp track which was in line with his front nearside wheel.

"The damp patch didn't really have anything to do with it, I made a mistake," Hamilton, who recovered to third place but now finds himself 33 points behind Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in the title race, admitted.

"Then I was just working my way up from there: it was tricky but I did the best I could.

"The car felt great throughout the race. I had a good run and fought hard, but in the end just didn't make it back to second."

Hamilton though was unable to elaborate on his poor start, adding: "I just got wheelspin."

Hamilton’s charge back through the top eight was ended when he caught the Red Bull of Max Verstappen on lap 42. Though clearly in a faster car, the defending champ couldn’t find a way passed the 19-year-old Dutchman.

Verstappen focussed on getting a good exit from the final chicane to protect himself into Turn 1 where Hamilton had DRS. With two laps to go he defended the inside line out of 130R, resulting in Hamilton locking up and heading down the escape road at the chicane.

Initially Hamilton complained over the radio claiming Verstappen moved in the braking zone. Post-race though, the Englishman was more contrite.

"It doesn't matter now, it's done and we move forwards,” he stated simply.”

Verstappen too was comfortable with his move, explaining: “I could see him coming in the mirrors. The laps before he was closing. I saw he had a good exit, defended into the last chicane, so yeah, all good.

"Lewis is fighting for the world championship, so you're not going to do crazy things."

Related: Rosberg wins again at Suzuka

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Jim McGill