Lewis Hamilton has vowed to bounce back from his uncharacteristic practice crash as he bids to take control of the Formula One championship for the first time this season.
Hamilton, who is now just one tantalising point behind his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg heading into the Hungarian Grand Prix, watched the majority of the second practice session on Friday from the sidelines after he made a mistake at turn 11.
The defending champion lost control of his Mercedes under braking before slamming into the safety barriers and, while he was fortunate not to sustain any significant damage to his car in the incident, he did not complete any further meaningful running.
It paved the way for Rosberg, who on Friday signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes worth up to £36milliion, to notch up 45 laps, set the fastest time and seize the initiative at a circuit where he has failed to record a single podium finish in his 10 previous attempts.
"Obviously, it was not the greatest session for me, and my apologies to the crew for all the hard work they have ahead to strip the car and get it back together," Hamilton said.
"Fortunately, I got a good feel for it in the few laps that I did have and the pace is clearly there, so hopefully I can make up for the time lost during the session and come back strongly in qualifying.
"It is frustrating, and I am a little bit disappointed with myself but these things happen. I am not injured so I can get back on it."
The force of the impact, measured at 12G, triggered a safety alarm in Hamilton's Mercedes cockpit and he was taken to the on-track medical centre as a precaution before swiftly being given the all-clear.
''In Formula One they are generally so over the top,'' Hamilton added. ''You see these MotoGP riders and they ride with broken ankles and collar bones and we have one little busted finger and they don't want you to race, but fortunately I have no problems and the medical team did a great job.''
While Hamilton is bidding to become the first driver to win on five occasions here, the Hungaroring has not been kind to Rosberg. But the German will head into qualifying buoyed by his new deal and Hamilton's error in practice.
''I always said that I am happy here,'' said Rosberg as he reflected on his contract extension. ''It is my dream team, my racing family and it is home. We have had a great time together and I am sure we will have a successful future."
Source: PA
