Don't think any c'ship is less valuable than another one, feels Toto Wolff

LONDON: Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff does not feel that this year's Formula One championship would mean less than others because of the shorter season.

Lewis Hamilton won a record seventh British Grand Prix in dramatic fashion after his Mercedes suffered a last lap puncture here on Sunday.

Hamilton extended his Formula One world championship lead to 30 points after he limped to the finish line in an astonishing climax to a race he had dominated from pole position.

"I don't think any championship is less valuable than another one," Wolff was quoted as saying by BBC.

"You could argue a shorter championship means (you can afford) less faults and races where you don't finish."

The 2020 season was originally slated to have 22 races, but the first 10 were postponed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wolff, who was talking to Radio 4's Today programme, added: "For us and certainly for sports insiders, it is as valuable as any other.

"We are not yet set for another title because you have to have the mindset of permanent scepticism, and really stay both feet on the ground. It is not over until it is over."

Mercedes racer Hamilton continued his hot run in the ongoing Formula One season.

The 35-year-old somehow managed to drag the car over the line, as sparks kept flying underneath his vehicle, just five seconds ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Before the tyre mishap, Hamilton held a 32-second lead over the Belgian-Dutch racer, going into the final lap.

"Up until that last lap, everything was smooth sailing," Hamilton said after the race as per Daily Mail. "When I heard Valtteri's tyre went I looked at mine and everything seemed fine.

"The car was still turning, and the last lap I started to back off and then the tyre deflated. It was definitely heart-in-the-mouth (moment). You could see the tyre was falling off the rim.

"Oh my God, I was just praying to get it round. I nearly didn't do it, but thank God we did," the six-time world champion added.

Courtesy of his record seventh win at the circuit, Hamiton extended his lead at the top of driver's standings to 30 points. Hamilton's teammate Bottas, meanwhile, failed to score as he finished 11th. IANS

Also watch: #NewsMakers: Being LGBTQ+ A Curse?