ZANDVOORT — Lewis Hamilton has called for Ferrari to “discuss offline” what he felt was a strategic error that cost him points in the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix.
The Brit was stuck behind teammate Charles Leclerc midway through the race, and felt that he was the quicker driver, inquiring why he was not being let through.
And when there appeared to be some indecision on the Ferrari pit wall, it led to more audible frustration from the seven-time World Champion.
Hamilton eventually broke free, and tried a bold move to stay until the end of the race on Hard tyres, having found himself in the lead after a Virtual Safety Car.
But both Lando Norris and Andrea Kimi Antonelli were too fast, and with fresher tyres, both men overtook the Ferrari on Laps 35 and 36 respectively.
George Russell also got ahead to snatch third, leaving Hamilton to rue a result that was laced with fault lying on the Scuderia’s door.
After the race, Hamilton reiterated that perhaps Ferrari ought to analyse its in-race decision-making, citing his former team Mercedes as a benchmark.
“It felt like it was the closest opportunity I had [to overtake Russell]. I think I’d come out pretty close to him, and I was just opening SM and just getting on the boost,” he said.
“I don’t know whether or not we would have got by because the Mercedes is just so quick. You saw them fly past just on power, we’re losing like four tenths a lap here, just on straight lines. So that was a challenge.
“But I do think the time was lost when I was behind Charles. I think which ultimately meant I had a bigger distance to cover to try and catch up from George at the end.
“George wasn’t ahead of him because Charles was on his own, so I think what’s clear is I’m looking ahead and seeing the Mercedes, they execute like that. They got the car. They’re fighting this for the championship and they did it straight away.
“And here I’m sitting back, losing seconds. Something that we need to discuss offline.”
Hamilton will be hoping for better fortune and better strategy when F1 returns at Ferrari’s home circuit of Monza for the Italian Grand Prix in two weeks’ time.
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