Sheepish Hamilton’s mea culpa after furious radio spray
Lewis Hamilton has expressed contrition to his Ferrari team, without quite apologising, after serving them an almighty spray during the Dutch Grand Prix.
In the middle stint of the race, Hamilton on fresh hard tyres had caught teammate Charles Leclerc who was on older mediums. The team did not immediately instruct them to swap, despite the fact they were running alternate strategies.
Hamilton (rear) spent two laps stuck behind his teammate during the Dutch Grand Prix. Getty Images
On team radio, Hamilton grew increasingly testy and shouted down the line “we’re just looking time!” before the team finally pitted Leclerc two laps later, which was also considered too early for his own strategy.
“Great way of wasting time guys. Good job,” Hamilton quipped as Leclerc pitted.
He would finish in fourth, less than a second behind George Russell. On the cool down lap, Hamilton’s race engineer Carlo Santi said he was “unlucky” not to get past the Mercedes, but the seven-time world champion wasn’t having it.
“We weren’t unlucky this time, we lost time earlier on, and it cost us P3. We can discuss it offline.”
Hamilton continued to bemoan the team’s strategy calls in post-race interviews.
On social media, Hamilton conceded the radio calls were “not the best version of me”, but stopped short of a proper apology.
“I’ve listened back to some of my radio and TV comments. In the heat of the moment frustration can come out, especially when you care as deeply as I do,” he said on Instagram.
“But that wasn’t the best version of me. I take responsibility for that, and I’ll be better.
“That passion comes from believing in this team, the people in it, and what we’re building together. The direction is clear. The belief is there. And the fight is absolutely still on.”
Hamilton’s victory earlier in the season in Barcelona, and then another for Leclerc at Silverstone two races later, gave fans a hope the Scuderia had arrived as genuine championship challengers.
Hamilton cut a frustrated figure post-race. Getty Images
But a string of poor strategy decision have meant Ferrari has struggled to match the Mercedes and resurgent McLaren outfits.
The Italian Grand Prix will run over the weekend of September 4-6.
