Only three can win without best car

Pedro de la Rosa

(GMM) Only three current F1 drivers can win grands prix without sitting in the best car.

That is the claim of McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa, who hailed Lewis Hamilton's return from poor form to win the Abu Dhabi grand prix on Sunday.

"I had the feeling he always had a few tenths in his pocket, and his pace on the hard tires was very strong," the veteran Spaniard is quoted by EFE news agency.

"For me, Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso are the only drivers who can win grands prix without having the best car on the grid," added de la Rosa.

A happy Hamilton said after winning on Sunday that beating his old nemesis Fernando Alonso made the victory feel even more special.

"I think it was one of my best races. I said that to myself as I slowed down, just being able to hold off one of the best drivers in the world throughout the race is something that is very, very tough to do," said the Briton.

Alonso's second place, meanwhile, means the Ferrari driver has now collected a trophy from every circuit he has ever raced on in formula one.

"I have them from all the circuits that I have raced on in formula one … so now I have completed all the circuits," he smiled. "So, (I'm) happy."