Lewis Hamilton’s strategy call at Spa left everyone talking. Here’s what went down and what it could mean for the future.
- Hamilton was frustrated for not pushing the one-stop strategy.
- His teammate Russell used it and initially won.
- Russell’s win was nullified due to a disqualification.
- Hamilton eventually inherited the win.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton felt let down after not being given the one-stop strategy option at the Belgian Grand Prix. His initial frustration grew when his teammate George Russell, who did use the strategy, crossed the finish line first.
However, Russell couldn’t savor the victory for long. His Mercedes W15 was found underweight post-race, leading to a swift disqualification and handing the win back to Hamilton.
Former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne commented on a podcast that Hamilton should have been more “vocal” about his desire to try the one-stop strategy. Numerous drivers, he suggested, focused too much on outmaneuvering each other instead of tuning into how their tires felt.
Vandoorne noted that Hamilton might have felt annoyed because he believed his tires could last. Yet, he wasn’t assertive enough to influence the team’s strategy despite believing in his tyre’s potential.
Tyre degradation on race day at Spa was below Mercedes’ expectations. Rain on Saturday washed away the rubber, which usually makes the track less demanding on tires. However, race day turned out warmer and drier, making conditions unpredictable.
F1 legend Tom Kristensen pointed out that only having one set of hard tires and wet conditions on Saturday made some teams hesitant to attempt a one-stop. Kristensen added that Hamilton’s upcoming move to Ferrari is influencing the intra-team dynamics at Mercedes.
In a post-race interview, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff defended the team’s decision, claiming the two-stop strategy was the way to go. He said no one had a one-stop on their radar due to the uncertain conditions, and they had to cover their bases against other teams.
Hamilton’s win at the Belgian GP marked his 105th career victory, a record-breaking number in F1 history.
Hamilton’s quiet approach at Spa has sparked debates, but his record-breaking win stands tall.
Source: Planetf1
