McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh had cause to congratulate Lewis Hamilton after witnessing his discipline following his smash in practice on Friday.
Hamilton was the main casualty of the wet conditions that prevailed over Hockenheim in the morning as he ripped off the front wing and left rear wheel after sliding into a tyre barrier.
The 25-year-old did not return to the track until 12 minutes from the end of the second session, covering 10 laps that creditably saw him clock the seventh fastest time.
Hamilton finished seven tenths of a second behind Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari, yet could have gone much quicker, only to spurn the opportunity as he preferred to focus on getting in as much running as possible rather than attempting to set a fast time.
‘Losing track time was a little bit of a setback,’ said Whitmarsh. ‘But I actually have to congratulate Lewis.
‘Because he got out there late I was niggling the engineer, telling him Lewis should have a run, come back and put on the (softer) option tyre at the end.’
