Formula 1 managing director Ross Brawn believes Lewis Hamilton is “out of practice” when it comes to dealing with frustrating scenarios.
Hamilton endured a difficult Monaco Grand Prix last weekend, and was audibly infuriated during the race over team radio after he was overcut by Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel.
The seven-time world champion ended the race in seventh place, and consequently lost the lead of the Drivers’ standings to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
“Lewis was clearly agitated with the way his weekend was going in Monaco and that frustration boiled into the race, when he was unhappy with how his strategy was playing out,” Brawn wrote in his post-race column.
“He’s a fierce competitor, so it should be expected that he will get frustrated when things don’t go his way. He has rarely had to experience this, so he’s a bit out of practice in handling these things.
“Yes, he was pretty robust but when he reflects on this weekend, I’m sure he will look at it differently. Mercedes and Lewis have been together for a long time – and know each other well – so they will get over it. It won’t be an issue.”
With Red Bull now topping both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship, Brawn added that the Milton Keynes-based team can’t afford to rely on Mercedes having another off weekend.
“Mercedes won’t have off weekends very often so Red Bull can’t rely on these gift weekends,” Brawn said.
“But if Red Bull are to stand a chance of winning the titles this year, it’s vital that they take their opportunities – and they did just that in Monaco as Mercedes struggled.
“This championship fight is going to be tooth and nail and come down to a few points here, a few points there. But to see a 30-point swing in their favour, with Red Bull now leading the constructors’ championship by a single point, is very encouraging for the bulls.”
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