Formula 1: 3 recent restarts which Lewis Hamilton botched

Late restarts botched by Lewis Hamilton: No. 3 – Austria 2020

Two times in three races, Lewis Hamilton proved to be the one thing separating Alexander Albon from his first podium finish — and in this case, possibly even a victory.

Following back-to-back safety car periods, the 2020 season-opening Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring got back underway with 11 laps remaining, with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas leading ahead of Hamilton in second place and Albon in third.

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But Albon was on newer tires than both of the Silver Arrows, and he had the pace to get the job done. He attempted to make his way around Hamilton on the outside for second place, and he appeared to have the position. But Hamilton squeezed him, causing contact between the two cars and sending Albon spinning.

Albon was officially forced to retire with an electronics issue with four laps remaining, and he was classified in 13th place.

Hamilton remained in second place, but he was issued a five-second penalty for causing the collision. He appeared slated to drop to third behind Charles Leclerc, but a Herculean fastest lap of the race by McLaren’s Lando Norris on the race’s final lap brought him to within five seconds of Hamilton and promoted him to the podium for the first time in his career.

Hamilton was scored in fourth place.

So as good as Hamilton has been when it comes to securing results when other drivers can’t capitalize, he himself has struggled in scenarios when it comes to capitalizing on late-race restarts — when he isn’t the driver out in front already, that is.

He is slated to attempt to rebound in this Sunday’s French Grand Prix at Circuit Paul Ricard, which is set to be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET. He is two for two at the track, having won in both 2018 and 2019.