Hamilton: I did as good as I could today

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Lewis Hamilton was pleased to limit the impact of Nico Rosberg’s victory at today’s German Grand Prix by finishing in third place, saying after the race: “I did as good as I could today.”

The Mercedes driver started the race way back down in 20th position after crashing heavily during the first part of qualifying yesterday. His car required a new gearbox, meaning that he had to take a grid penalty, and was staring down the barrel of a sizeable championship deficit to Rosberg had he failed to score.

However, he produced a stunning drive to charge through the field and finish on the podium, and he explained on the podium after the race some of the challenges that he faced.

“I had great fun,” Hamilton said. “It was great to see how many fans we had here today, thank you so much for the support.

“I did as good as I could today, it was very hard to get through the pack safely. I had a little bit of a collision with Jenson, I honestly thought that he was opening the door to let me past. he’s been a bit like that in last race for example, so my bad on judgement there.

“It was very hard to overtake at the end, they were so fast in the straights, but nonetheless I’m glad that I got some points today.”

In the post-race press conference, Hamilton was asked whether he was looking at the result as ‘glass half full’, given that he could be far further behind Rosberg in the championship, or ‘glass half empty’, as he may have won the race had he not started from so far back.

“I don’t really know how to answer that,” Hamilton said. “To get on the podium is quite an achievement, so perhaps half full.”

The Briton will be hoping to cut the gap to Rosberg at the next race in Hungary, where he has won on four previous occasions.

NTT re-signs as IndyCar title sponsor in multiyear deal starting with the 2024 season

James Black/Penske Entertainment
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The IndyCar Series has re-signed NTT as its title sponsor in a multiyear agreement starting in 2024.

NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan, became the series’ title sponsor before the 2019 season after starting as a sponsor of the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NTT Data (a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.) will remain the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

With the extension, an IndyCar spokesman said NTT would become the second-longest title sponsor in series history. The longest title sponsor was PPG from 1980-97 (under the CART sanction of the Champ Car Series).

NTT replaced Verizon, which was IndyCar’s title sponsor from 2014-18 after IZOD from 2010-13.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” Penske Corp. chairman and IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a release. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined Series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT has used artificial intelligence-enabled optical detection technology at IMS to provide information to the track’s operations and security teams, helping improve fan traffic flow and safety, the track said.

“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT Data because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” NTT Data CEO Kaz Nishihata said in a release. “We also appreciate how IndyCar is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

NTT also has been instrumental in helping redesign the IndyCar app and providing more race and driver data for use in NBC Sports’ broadcasts by utilizing 140 data points from every car in the field.

“NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said.

Said NTT Data Services CEO Bob Pryor: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI, and other innovative digital technologies. For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

Starting as a Japanese telephone company, NTT grew into a $100 billion-plus tech services giant with U.S. operations based in Plano, Texas.