Formula 1 Japanese GP

Hamilton: F1 battle with Ocon in Suzuka was “the most fun”

Lewis Hamilton says his battle with Esteban Ocon for fifth place in the Formula 1 Japanese GP was “the most fun”.

Adam Cooper

Edited: Oct 13, 2022, 7:28 AM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Hamilton spent much of the race chasing the Frenchman, and he eventually crossed the line just 0.641s behind in sixth.

The seven-time world champion knew before the race that a straight-line speed disadvantage would be a handicap in the race, while the wet conditions meant that there was no DRS to provide a benefit.

Despite losing out to the Alpine driver Hamilton insisted that he’d enjoyed the race and the challenge provided by the conditions.

“I had a lot of fun,” when asked about the battle with Ocon. “He did a great job staying on track and staying ahead, obviously he was very, very quick on the straights.

“I was trying everything, but we I think we had the most fun. I don't know how other people had it.”

Hamilton insisted that he was satisfied with his day and had no issue with the wet conditions.

"I don't feel frustrated, because it was a sprint race. I did the best I could, and I'm happy that we at least got some points today. We were just so slow in a straight line. I was getting close, as close as I could.

“You could probably see it on the TV, as soon as I pulled out they would just pull away. I wish it was a longer race. I'm glad that we got some laps for the fans here. Although it's not really a massive race for them, considering how long they waited.

"I think it was awesome. I mean, that's what motor racing is about. I had a blast. It was so tough, so hard to see.

“I think the restart that we had at the end, I think it was perfect timing, and I just wish we could have gone longer into a bit of the dark. We lost a little bit of the light."

Lewis Hamilton:

Lewis Hamilton: "It was definitely tough with the visibility, but it was awesome at the same time.”

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Regarding the conditions at first start prior to the red flag he said: “It seems like there's maybe more spray this year with these cars. And I think we probably all should have started on extreme wets. But when we did the laps to the grid, it was inters.

“I guess it just then started to rain a bit more. But I think if we had all started on extremes we would have just kept going, and it would have been fine. It was definitely tough with the visibility, but it was awesome at the same time.”

Hamilton remains hopeful that Mercedes can make progress in 2023 after a difficult season with the W13.

“I think for us we know what the problems are with this car. I believe that we as a team we've not gone from being world champions to not being able to build a good car.

“I have no doubt that we'll have a better car next year. Whether or not we've rectified every issue that we have this year, we'll find out when we get there."

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Horner: Verstappen has been on "another planet" in F1 this year

Next article Ricciardo wishes F1 could be more flexible with start times

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

8 min

The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion

F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1 42 min

F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?

IndyCar 2026 season review: ECR

IndyCar

Indy IndyCar 16 h

IndyCar 2026 season review: ECR

Toto Wolff reflects on Mercedes’ non-title years: ‘We weren’t complete losers’

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

16 h

Toto Wolff reflects on Mercedes’ non-title years: ‘We weren’t complete losers’

Feature

Discover prime content

Tough love and F1 titles – A key life lesson behind Wolff's Mercedes success

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Ronald Vording

Tough love and F1 titles – A key life lesson behind Wolff's Mercedes success

How Brazil showcased everything that's good about F1 - plus some that isn't

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Filip Cleeren

How Brazil showcased everything that's good about F1 - plus some that isn't

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s

Formula 1

By Kevin Turner

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s

Why Rafael Camara should take heart from a tough F1 debut in Brazil

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

Why Rafael Camara should take heart from a tough F1 debut in Brazil

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts