The world title race is getting intense, and after McLaren’s performance, Mercedes has also joined the battle. While the team has been struggling with a persistent issue for the past few months, the technical team has overcome the hurdles to cherish the British GP victory. Moreover, the Silver Arrows had to wait what felt like an eternity to see Lewis Hamilton take the silverware.
Thus, the Briton was visibly emotional after the race, as all the anguish seemed to pour out from his eyes. Lewis Hamilton, who has won 104 races thus far, will undoubtedly put the British GP triumph on the top of his list. However, his victory might not have been possible if he hadn’t flouted Mercedes’ request to stop during the rain.
This Is Why Lewis Hamilton Declined Mercedes’ Request To Stop Amid Rainy British GP
It took Hamilton 945 days to reach the top of the podium with the silverware in his hand. Silverstone erupted with joy as their home hero returned to his past glory. The masterful Hamilton paved his way to a record-breaking ninth British GP win, ending an everlasting curse. However, Hamilton might still have been struggling for a win if he had blindly followed his team’s call. As the Briton’s first stint was nearing an end, he got a message from the pit team to stop as the rain poured. Bernie Collins described the entire scenario on a recent Sky Sports F1 podcast episode with Matt Baker.
The former Aston Martin strategist explained that though Mercedes’ call was correct, plenty of extended dry areas were still on the track. He said the Silver Arrows wanted Hamilton to pit during the first bit of rain. However, Lewis clearly said No as he tried to continue. The seven-time world champion went against his team’s strategy because of his momentum. He was heading towards the finish line with determination; thus, pitting at that juncture would have ruined his race. Hence, Collins praised the Briton for his brave call and credited his experience. He acknowledged that this is how teams and drivers should work harmoniously to yield the best results.
McLaren Misery Keeping Them Just Out Of Reach
While Mercedes is confident after a resurgent win in Silverstone, McLaren has a plate full of worries. The Papapy crew is coming close to victory in almost every race, just to give it all away in the final moments.
While McLaren was considered the next solid contender for the Constructors Cup, they lost their way at the halfway point. However, the team and McLaren drivers commit numerous small mistakes that accumulate by the end of the race. As a result, the Woking-based outfit won just one race despite having a really quick car. Thus, the team would like to contemplate ahead of the upcoming races, as McLaren still has an outside chance.
