Lewis Hamilton rues 'bad start' but Mercedes star happy to finish third at Spanish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton was haunted by his tricky start but pleased to have finished third at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on Sunday.

The Mercedes star impressed on the grid, with only Max Verstappen and Lando Norris finishing higher.

Hamilton, speaking to Sky Sports, has said he's happy with how the weekend panned out.

However, the 39-year-old was frustrated by a difficult start that saw him initially fall behind Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Lewis Hamilton was haunted by his tricky start but pleased to have finished third at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on Sunday

SKY

Hamilton said: "It has been a good day, a solid weekend.

"I have to say a big thank you to the team as they have been training so hard.

"The strategy and the pitstops were really on point.

"Unfortunately I got a really bad start and lost ground to the Ferraris so it was a battle to get back.

"With a better start... I don't know if we could have held on to the guys ahead but I don't think we would have been as far behind."

On the team radio, Hamilton praised Mercedes staff for their hard work and said his side were making strides.

"Thank Bono. Great job guys! Mega. What a great surprise to come here and get these points," he enthused.

"We are making improvements. Let's keep pushing We are nearly there."

While Mercedes are undoubtedly improving, they remain far behind Red Bull.

Verstappen, despite struggling towards the end of the race, was able to hang on to extend his lead at the top of the F1 standings.

And the 26-year-old, who has won in Spain for the third year on the trot, was delighted with his latest victory.

"I think what made the race was the beginning," he said.

"I took the lead and then had a buffer in that first stint and could eke out a gap.

"After that we had to drive defensively. Lando and McLaren were very quick.

"I think we did everything well. I am very happy to win here.

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Lewis Hamilton was happy with his performance in Barcelona after securing a spot on the podium at the Spanish Grand Prix

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"It was about managing the tyres. They get very hot around here so you are sliding around quite a lot."

Red Bull chief Christian Horner added: "Max [Verstappen] drove a brilliant race and strategically we got it just right.

"We went for an optimum race time and it paid off.

"We knew McLaren would come back with the overlap on the tyre but we had just enough in hand.

"The first lap was crucial and the pass on George [Russell] was even more important.

Max Verstappen won the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday with the Red Bull driver beating Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton to glory

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"He [Verstappen] is so decisive, he just doesn't mess about.

"I think that is one of his key qualities - you know if he is there, he is going to go for it. The other drivers know that."

The 39-year-old has opened up after finishing third in Barcelona on Sunday