Lewis Hamilton issued a warning to Max Verstappen about his pace and raised concerns over Mercedes’ strategy decisions following a challenging Dutch Grand Prix performance.
The Dutch Grand Prix stirred intense competition and strategic complexities, with Lewis Hamilton delivering a stern message to Max Verstappen about his potential to challenge at the forefront.
However, Hamilton’s race experience was marred by strategic missteps made by the Mercedes team.
The race weekend had an inauspicious start for Hamilton, as a nightmarish qualifying session relegated him to P13 on the starting grid.
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Undaunted by the setback, the British driver embarked on a calculated gamble at the race’s outset, opting for the more robust medium tires as others around him chose soft compounds.
His strategy, however, was quickly derailed as rain began to fall just a few laps into the race.
While many drivers swiftly switched to intermediate tires, Mercedes deviated from the norm, keeping both Hamilton and his teammate George Russell out on track with the belief that the rain would dissipate shortly.
This decision proved erroneous as the rain persisted, leading to belated pit stops that dropped the Mercedes drivers to the back of the pack.
Reflecting on the tumultuous race, Hamilton expressed his sentiments to Sky Sports, stating, “I feel really good. I didn’t really know how today was going to go.”
He recounted his pre-race thought process, highlighting the team’s choice of putting him on the medium tires as an offset strategy.
However, he lamented the strategy shift after the rain, which “we as a team made the wrong decision.
Ultimately it was the team’s call and we paid the price for that.”
Hamilton’s climb through the ranks showcased his resilience, as he battled to secure a sixth-place finish.
His teammate Russell was also on track for a promising seventh place until a late puncture following contact with Lando Norris altered his fate.
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The seven-time world champion believed he had the potential to challenge the race’s top contenders, including winner Max Verstappen and second-placed Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton asserted, “I think today I had the pace, in the conditions and if we made the right call, I had the pace to challenge the top two.”
He expressed his belief in Mercedes’ performance, particularly in dry conditions, acknowledging the competitive landscape.