Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari made a strategic error under the Virtual Safety Car, a decision that led to the penalty costing him the podium in Hungary.
Lewis Hamilton is convinced that the Hungarian Grand Prix turned when Ferrari called him into the pits under the Virtual Safety Car.
At that moment in the race, caused by Oscar Piastri’s retirement, the Briton was in second place and seemed capable of finishing on the podium.
But the stop decided by the Scuderia put him back behind Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli. Moments later, a speed infringement of just 0.1 km/h in the pit lane earned him a five-second penalty, ultimately dropping him to fifth place, behind his teammate Charles Leclerc.
“In hindsight, it was the wrong decision”
After the finish, Hamilton did not hide his frustration with this strategic decision.
The seven-time world champion explains that he did not have time to question his team’s call.
“I really think we shouldn’t have stopped. The call came just before the pit entry and I didn’t have time to discuss it.”
While he emphasizes that it’s normal to trust the pit wall, he believes today that his tires would have easily allowed him to go to the end.
“You have to trust the team’s decision, but in hindsight, my tires were still in very good condition. I probably would have lost a place to Max, but I think I would have at least kept third position.”
Read more George Russell dejected after another setback: «Add it to the list»
According to him, this stop directly led to the penalty that ruined his race.
“This stop simply opened the door to the penalty I then received.”
A bad run continues
This sanction is the third five-second penalty received by Hamilton in the last three Grands Prix.
The Ferrari driver had already been penalized for a false start at Silverstone, then for a collision with George Russell on the first lap of the Belgian Grand Prix.
In Hungary, a three-place grid penalty was added after he impeded Oscar Piastri in qualifying.
Hamilton wants to start afresh
The Briton acknowledges, however, that this series of sanctions is not solely due to bad luck.
He believes he has made too many mistakes in recent weeks and intends to take advantage of the summer break to regain more consistency.
“I think my last three races haven’t been very good. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, especially at Silverstone, then in the previous race, and again this weekend.”
Hamilton concludes by taking his share of responsibility.
“I’ve received a lot of penalties in these last three races. I now need to work hard to no longer give the stewards an opportunity to penalize me.”
Read more Charles Leclerc deplores an «incomprehensible» Ferrari after the Hungarian Grand Prix