Hamilton Says Ferrari Strategy Cost Him Dutch Grand Prix Podium Chance

Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari's strategy calls may have cost him a podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he placed fourth behind race winner Lando Norris and Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. The Guardian reported that Hamilton was frustrated by the time he spent behind teammate Charles Leclerc while running a different tire strategy.

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Hamilton believed Ferrari should have moved Leclerc aside sooner because the British driver was faster on his tires at that stage of the race. He expressed his dissatisfaction over team radio when Ferrari eventually brought Leclerc into the pits. Hamilton later said the delay cost him several seconds and could have affected the final result.

The seven-time world champion contrasted Ferrari's response with Mercedes' handling of a similar situation late in the race. Mercedes instructed Russell to allow Antonelli through while the Italian was on much fresher tires. Hamilton said Ferrari needed to discuss its decision-making internally, according to The Guardian's report from the event.

Antonelli's second-place finish strengthened his position in the Formula One drivers' championship. The Guardian reported that Russell and Hamilton were both 59 points behind the Italian after the race. Hamilton said Ferrari could not afford to surrender points as he tries to keep the team in contention for the championship.

Russell acknowledged that giving up a position was difficult while competing for the title, but accepted Mercedes' call. He noted that the team's established approach is to avoid fighting between its drivers when they are on different strategies. Russell also said Antonelli had been ahead before the strategic sequence and would likely have passed on the newer tires.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the instruction as consistent with the team's prior discussions. Mercedes did not want its drivers losing time against rivals while running different strategies. For Ferrari, Hamilton's comments placed the focus on execution after a race in which he finished one position short of the podium and saw two championship rivals score more points.