Hamilton says ‘heart sank’ as tyre gamble backfired before stunning Sepang recovery

Lewis Hamilton expressed a mix of emotions following his performance at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang. After starting second on the grid, Hamilton dropped to 18th after a failed tyre strategy, only to recover and finish third in a chaotic, rain-affected race. The race was delayed by over 90 minutes due to rain, and Hamilton opted to use slick tyres on a drying track despite Ferrari's urging to pit for new tyres.

Despite a slow start and a drop to 18th place, Hamilton continued to fight his way back to the podium as the track dried and safety cars provided assistance. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, also managed to secure fourth place, acknowledging that their best outcome was achieved given the speed advantage of Red Bull and Mercedes. Hamilton expressed gratitude for the team's efforts, while Leclerc highlighted the resilience of their strategy, considering the significant pace gap between the top teams.