Lewis Hamilton livid with Ferrari Dutch Grand Prix determination in ‘guinea pig’ slam
Lewis Hamilton furiously slammed Ferrari’s strategy in the Dutch Grand Prix as the seven-time world champion was left frustrated and compromised behind his team-mate Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton was left furious stuck behind Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton furiously slammed Ferrari’s strategy as he was left frustrated and compromised behind team-mate Charles Leclerc during the Dutch Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion took aim at Ferrari’s inability to act quickly and allow him to utilise his quicker speed and tyre offset to pass Leclerc and strengthen his claim for a podium finish and maximise team points.
Hamilton raced up behind Leclerc over the space of a couple of laps, leaving himself stuck behind his team-mate as the gap towards his and Ferrari’s rivals grew. The Brit initially suggested his team should swap the positions around, saying: “I’m quicker than Charles. My tyres are better.”
Hamilton found himself stuck behind the slower Leclerc
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Leclerc was seemingly told to box by his team but reacted bemusedly with an X-rated reply and failed to pit. The Monegasque stayed out on track and continued to hinder Hamilton’s progress.
Hamilton sent a clearer message in his next radio message about the team swapping positions, slamming: “We’re just losing time!”
But again there was no decision made on track, instead Leclerc eventually pitted at the end of the lap, releasing Hamilton into clear air.
Yet the Brit felt as though the damage had been done, sarcastically saying: “Great way of wasting time guys. Good job.”
Hamilton’s frustration was not resolved there and then as discussions started over replacing his 23-lap-old tyres, sparking another argument over the radio when the pitwall asked Hamilton what tyre to go on next. He snapped: “You have the data!”
When the time eventually came to pit under a Virtual Safety Car after Esteban Ocon was forced to pull his Haas to the side of the track, Hamilton was already enraged and slammed: “Are you using me as a guinea pig, or what? What’s going on?! How long will you have me stay out?!”
Hamilton emerged from the pits ahead of his team-mate, in fourth and fifth respectively, behind Kimi Antonelli, George Russell and race leader Lando Norris.
