Lewis Hamilton questions Ferrari’s strategy after British Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton criticized Ferrari’s strategy following a challenging British Grand Prix, admitting his race was “pretty bad from the get-go,” with the seven-time world champion stating he would have opted against a pit stop had he known it would cost him a higher finish, reports BritPanorama.
The British driver finished third at Silverstone after a frustrating race that began with a false start and concluded with Hamilton losing his position to teammate George Russell during a late Safety Car period. Hamilton’s afternoon escalated from bad to worse, culminating in a five-second penalty for his false start, which he described as out of character given his extensive racing experience.
Hamilton felt that the decision to bring him into the pits ultimately compromised his chance to secure second place. “What difference is there?” he questioned when asked if he wished he had stayed out longer. “The team asked me to stop. I assumed that in stopping, we would hold position. If they had told me to stop, I would have been losing position; I wouldn’t have done it.”
The late pit stop proved pivotal as Ferrari called both Hamilton and race leader Charles Leclerc in during the Safety Car deployment. While Leclerc comfortably retained his lead, Hamilton emerged behind Russell and, with the race concluding under the Safety Car, he had no opportunity to reclaim second place.
Hamilton acknowledged the difficulties he faced throughout the race, struggling with the car’s balance. He mentioned a significant understeer that hindered his performance early on, making it difficult to keep pace with Leclerc. “I just couldn’t turn the car,” he stated, reflecting the challenges of the day.
As the season progresses, attention will shift to the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix on July 19, an event where Hamilton has previously triumphed five times, providing a potential opportunity for redemption.
This latest race serves as a reminder of the thin line between triumph and disappointment in Formula 1, as strategic decisions can reshape outcomes in the blink of an eye.
