Despite retaking the points lead from Formula One rival Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton revealed after finishing second on Sunday that he may be up against another nemesis: COVID-19.
After the Hungarian Grand Prix, the seven-time Formula One champion was treated by his team’s doctor for fatigue and mild dizziness.
After driving from 14th to third (later elevated a spot due to Sebastian Vettel’s disqualification) and battling furiously for several laps with two-time champion Fernando Alonso throughout the 70-lap race, Hamilton struggled to recover his breath in a postrace TV interview. Hamilton revealed he had blurred vision during the podium celebration with race winner Esteban Ocon and Vettel.
He believes the symptoms are the result of his recovery from a bout with COVID-19, which forced him to miss a race last season.
“I’m OK, had real big dizziness, and everything got a bit blurry on the podium,” Hamiltton said after arriving late to the postrace news conference. “I’ve been fighting all year really with staying healthy after what happened at the end of last year, and it’s still a battle.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone about it but I think (the effects of COVID-19) lingering. I remember the effects of when I had it, and training has been different since then. The level of fatigue you get is different, and it’s a real challenge.
“I continue to train and prepare the best way I can. Today, who knows what it is? Maybe it’s hydration, I don’t know, but I’ve definitely not had this experience. Had something similar at Silverstone, but this is way worse.”
Hamilton was unable to compete in the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain after testing positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 30. He returned a week later for the final race of the 2020 season in Abu Dhabi, but stated he wasn’t at full strength before finishing third.
“One of the [COVID-19] symptoms is it really drains you,” Hamilton said after practice Dec. 12. “I’ve been trying to sleep as much as I can, but recharging is not as easy as it perhaps normally has been in the past. I lost a good amount of weight just in that week, so as I said not 100 percent the last time I raced, but it’s by no means going to get in the way of me going out and giving my all tomorrow.”
He was expected to quit just days after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix and two weeks after earning his record-tying seventh title in Turkey. Hamilton is one of five Formula One drivers who has overcome COVID-19. Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, Lando Norris, and Pierre Gasly are all on the list.
Hamilton has won four of the first 11 races of the season, extending his advantage over Verstappen to ten points heading into the August break.
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