Hamilton Critiques Ferrari's Strategy After Costly Delay at Dutch Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration over Ferrari's delay in moving teammate Charles Leclerc out of his way during the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, which he believes may have cost him a better finish. Hamilton secured a fourth-place finish in Zandvoort, while Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell took second and third respectively. Mid-race, Hamilton, on fresher tires, requested to pass Leclerc to optimize his performance against the Mercedes duo. However, Leclerc's delay in pitting led to Hamilton losing crucial time, prompting him to remark over the radio, "Great way of wasting time, guys. Great job." Despite catching Russell in the race's final stages, Hamilton couldn't overtake him due to a late virtual safety car. Lando Norris from McLaren clinched the race victory. Hamilton, now trailing Antonelli by 59 points, stated, "I'm here to win and I think this team can win... I lost several seconds behind Charles, which I think ultimately could have made the difference in the end." He contrasted Ferrari's approach with Mercedes, who successfully ordered Russell to allow Antonelli to pass, ensuring they maintained their championship position. Hamilton emphasized the need for Ferrari to improve their strategies in future races. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged the confusion regarding Leclerc's pit strategy but stood by the decision, asserting that it was aimed at keeping Hamilton competitive against Antonelli. Moreover, Hamilton urged Ferrari to enhance their engine performance, pointing out that they were losing 0.4 seconds on the straights compared to Mercedes, emphasizing the need for upgrades to remain competitive.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-08-23