Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes seems to come with perks, as a strategic decision at the Emilia-Romagne Grand Prix benefitted him over teammate George Russell, causing quite a stir.
In an unexpected turn of events, Mercedes made a controversial strategy call that saw Lewis Hamilton gain an advantage over George Russell at the Emilia-Romagne Grand Prix. Despite Hamilton’s impending exit from the team, he was favored over Russell, much to the latter’s dismay.
The start of the European season saw Russell outdoing Hamilton in qualifying 5-1 and finishing ahead in the races by the same margin. However, during the race, Mercedes found themselves in a situation where they had to make critical decisions. Running in net P6 and P7, they were clear of the chasing pack but nowhere near the front runners.
Sergio Perez’s alternative strategy saw him creeping up on Hamilton, who was initially offered a chance to switch to soft tires for a possible fastest lap. However, this required him to momentarily give up his position to Perez, which Hamilton rejected.
The team then turned to Russell, asking him to pit for the fastest lap. Russell, aware this would cost him his position to Hamilton, sought assurance that Hamilton would return the favor, but the answer was a firm no. Reluctantly, Russell pitted and secured the fastest lap, adding one point to Mercedes’ tally, yet ending up behind Hamilton.
After the race, Russell tried to close the gap to Hamilton but could only reduce it by half. Mercedes’ performance was underwhelming, and Hamilton summarized the weekend by saying they got some points but were ultimately in ‘no man’s land.’
Russell, visibly deflated, remarked that while he wasn’t happy with P6 or P7, the team scored an extra point, and he wouldn’t sulk over losing his position. He remains optimistic, praising the hard work of the team and hoping for better results in future races, starting with Monaco.
Veteran pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz pointed out that Mercedes thought Russell’s tires would degrade significantly, justifying their decision. He suggested that Russell deserved some form of compensation for his sacrifice, humorously proposing rum or free strawberry milkshakes for life.
The situation serves as a harsh reminder of the shifting dynamics within Mercedes. George Russell is likely to step up as the team leader, while Hamilton navigates the final stages of his tenure with the team.
The Emilia-Romagne Grand Prix highlighted the ongoing challenges within Mercedes. As Hamilton prepares to leave, Russell faces an evolving role in the team, with hopes of better fortunes in the upcoming races.
