Damon Hill concerned by Lewis Hamilton health ahead of title run-in

Lewis Hamilton

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Hill concerned by Hamilton health ahead of title run-in

Hamilton sought medical attention after the Hungarian Grand Prix

Ewan Gale

Friday 6 August 2021 18:19

Damon Hill is concerned the lasting effects of the coronavirus could linger with Lewis Hamilton for the remainder of the F1 season.

The Mercedes driver was out of sorts during the Hungarian Grand Prix podium ceremony after which he was forced to seek medical help for fatigue and mild dizziness.

Hamilton suggested afterwards he was suffering from long Covid although his team confirmed he had recovered since the grand prix.

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Former F1 champion Hill, however, is worried the effects could last for the entirety of the title fight with Max Verstappen.

"He was definitely out of energy," said Hill on the F1 Nation podcast. "He had burned it all up and I just hope and wish him well that he has got the ability to recover as soon as he can.

"This long Covid we have heard about... I have heard people talk about this and they have had Covid and a year later they still feel they are not 100 per cent. It is a nasty virus and let's hope Lewis can get a full recovery from it."

A year from Hamilton's diagnosis would take the Briton to December and the end of the season and as Hill pointed out, it was not an isolated case of exhaustion.

"He was tired after British Grand Prix, do you remember he was on the podium looking a bit puffed?" questioned Hill.

"We thought that was because he had to battle through and it was a tough track but clearly, he has admitted he has not managed to get back his full fitness after getting Covid last year in Bahrain."

Hamilton "must have been dehydrated"

Hamilton had fought back through the field from last after pitting a lap later than his competitors to switch from intermediates for slicks.

When he arrived in parc fermé after salvaging a podium and taken the championship lead, Hamilton was seen kneeling down ahead of his post-race interview.

"He got out of the car and he was hiding behind the little podium thing beside his car and went over to his physio Angela [Cullen]," added Hill.

"He got out the car and knelt down for a long time, I thought he was praying or something but he was clearly trying to get his blood pressure back up.

"He went over to Angela and she looked a bit concerned and gave him a bottle, he must have been dehydrated as well."