Lewis Hamilton was not told about George Russell’s one-stop strategy, leading to frustration after the Belgian GP.
- Hamilton seemed set for his 105th victory, dominating much of the race.
- Russell’s strategic one-stop plan gave him the edge in the closing laps.
- Hamilton was left unable to challenge for the win despite fresher tires.
- Though Russell’s disqualification handed Hamilton the victory, he remained upset.
Lewis Hamilton experienced frustration at the Belgian Grand Prix after not being informed by the Mercedes pit wall that George Russell was attempting a one-stop strategy. This strategic miscommunication nearly cost Hamilton his chance at a victory.
Hamilton appeared to be on track for his 105th Formula 1 win, leading the race for a significant duration. However, during his second pit stop, Russell’s one-stop strategy allowed him to gain track position.
Despite having fresher tires and being within DRS range, Hamilton couldn’t launch a successful attack on Russell in the final laps. Russell crossed the finish line just half a second ahead, although he was later disqualified due to a technical infraction with his car’s weight.
Hamilton expressed his irritation to Viaplay, emphasizing the importance of trust in his strategists. ‘You have to put your faith in the people that you work with so I put my faith in my strategist,’ he stated.
Toto Wolff defended the team’s decision to stop Hamilton twice, explaining it was necessary to cover off potential threats from other drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. Wolff noted that Russell’s position allowed them to gamble with his strategy since he had less to lose.
Ultimately, while Hamilton inherited the win due to Russell’s disqualification, his frustration highlighted the critical role of clear communication and strategic planning in Formula 1 racing.
Hamilton’s Belgian GP experience underscores the crucial need for precise communication in race strategies.
Source: Planetf1
