Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton found himself in a state of frustration during the Belgian Grand Prix, as strategy choices left him feeling dissatisfied, according to Martin Brundle.
Throughout much of the race, Hamilton seemed positioned for a second victory of the season, staying ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. However, a bold strategy by his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, reshuffled the lead. Hamilton opted for a two-stop strategy, aiming to cover Leclerc, while Russell gambled on a one-stop approach, as Mercedes later confirmed that tire wear was less severe than anticipated.
As the race progressed, Hamilton closed in during the final laps, but Russell’s skillful defense ensured his lead. Initially finishing second, Hamilton was promoted to first place following Russell’s disqualification due to an underweight car. Despite this victory, Hamilton remained unusually silent in the cooldown room, even as McLaren’s Oscar Piastri tried sparking conversation.
Sky F1’s Martin Brundle noted Hamilton felt he’d left too much grip unused at each pit stop, sparking his discontent. Lead commentator David Croft explained that Hamilton was pitted to counter Leclerc, identified as his main rival during the race.
In post-race interviews, Hamilton expressed his initial surprise, stating, “No, we definitely didn’t,” when asked if a Mercedes one-two finish was expected. He credited changes made after a disastrous Friday and excellent performance despite challenging conditions. However, he pointed out that he had tire life remaining each stint, regretting the calls to pit early.
Hamilton’s unexpected victory at Spa underscored the unpredictability of race strategies. His silence in the cooldown room and remarks post-race highlight the depth of strategy decisions in Formula 1, often turning the expected outcome on its head.
