0
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has explained how the struggles the team faced during Sunday's 70th Anniversary Grand Prix were an 'unexpected challenge'
Red Bull's Max Verstappen was able to pass both Mercedes for victory as both Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas endured a race-long hardship with blistering rear tyres.
Hamilton noted how the problems experienced by the team were completely opposite to those during the British Grand Prix a week ago, where both cars suffered front tyre blowouts in the closing laps of the race.
Speaking on the race, Hamilton was happy to be able to stay out and extend his second stint as it allowed him to pass Bottas for second in the later stages of the race but admitted he was worried of a repeat of the British Grand Prix.
The decision ultimately cost a potential victory but he affirmed the second pit stop was the right call, believing the pace from Verstappen's Red Bull would have denied him a win regardless.
"It was such a difficult race," Hamilton said.
"I mean, I love a challenge it was just an unexpected challenge and I think last race we had understeer and we were struggling with front tyres, blistering and running out.
"Then this weekend it was the complete opposite and there was nothing you could do. We were trying to go slower through the corners and it wouldn't work, so a real shock.
"Then I couldn't attack Valtteri and he was pulling away. In the second stint, I was really grateful that I was able to extend but I was thinking should I stay out.
"But I know now, I couldn't have matched Max's times and he would have caught me and the tyre might've blown out and if the rear goes that's a spin, crash in the wall so I think it was a good decision by the team."
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
454,325 comments on Mercedes
64 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Lewis Hamilton
584,998 comments on Mercedes 54 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
G. Zhou
Replies (0)
Login to reply