Lewis Hamilton says he’s battled long Covid ‘all year’ and even felt dizzy on the Hungarian GP podium

• Lewis Hamilton said he is still battling the effects of long Covid and has been 'fighting all year.'
• The Brit was visibly unwell on the podium after finishing third at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
• The 7-time world champion tested positive for Covid in December and had to miss the Sakhir GP.
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Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said he is still battling the effects of long Covid, having contracted the virus in December.

The Mercedes driver was visibly unwell on the podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday and had to be checked by the team's doctor before he could attend the post-race press conference.

"I have been fighting all year with my health after what happened at the end of last year, and it is still a battle," he said.

Hamilton was forced to miss the Sakhir Grand Prix last season due to the virus before returning to race at Abu Dhabi. He admitted he was not fully healthy at the time.

In reference to his illness being a symptom of suspected long Covid, Hamilton said, "I haven't spoken to anyone particularly about it, but I think it is lingering. I remember the effects when I had it. The training has been different since then, and the levels of fatigue you get are different, and it's a real challenge.

"Who knows what it is today? Maybe it's hydration, but I've definitely not had that experience. I had something similar in Silverstone, but this is way worse."

Esteban Ocon wins first F1 race after a chaotic start

Sunday's race began in chaotic fashion when the wet conditions caused Hamilton's teammate Valterri Bottas to crash into the back of McLaren's Lando Norris and set off a chain reaction that saw three retirements.

Norris was powerless to stop himself as he then collided with Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who led the driver's championship at the start of the day. Bottas also hit the other Red Bull driver, Sergio Perez, denting the team's championship aspirations. At the same time, Aston Martin's Lance Stroll took himself and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc out of the race.

Verstappen continued, but damage to his car meant he could only salvage a 10th-placed finish.

Meanwhile, his championship rival Hamilton lost significant ground when he was the only one not to stop and swap tyres made for wet conditions to ones made for dry during a pause in the race to clean up the debris from the crash.

The 36-year-old was soon overtaken by the whole field when he eventually pitted but fought his way back from 14th to finish third.

At the front, Esteban Ocon battled with Sebastian Vettel for the lead, but the German could not overtake the French driver, who would win the first grand prix race of his career.

Vettel, a four-time world champion, was later disqualified for not finishing the race with enough fuel in his car, promoting Hamilton to second and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz to third.