The racing weekend at Spa was fraught with concerns. The race was full of surprises, from Max Verstappen’s ten-grid penalty to Yuki Tsunoda’s sixty-grid punishment. However, it also made Mercedes the happiest and saddest team.
When the race concluded, the Silver Arrows’ camp was overjoyed. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished 1-2, continuing the team’s success. However, their joy was cut short owing to a mechanical issue. Although Hamilton got an inherited victory, he was still upset. The seven-time world champion pointed out a one-stop strategy that jeopardized his result. However, Aston Martin’s reserve driver explained why Lewis was not vocal about this loophole.
Hamilton Was Too Focused On Covering The Other Drivers
Former McLaren driver and current Aston Martin reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne shared his insights on the F1 Nation podcast, suggesting that many drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, were too focused on covering the strategies of others rather than assessing their own tire conditions. Vandoorne believes this preoccupation with other drivers’ strategies may have affected Hamilton’s race. He pointed out that Hamilton might have felt frustrated after the race because he felt his tires were in good condition. Still, het vocal enough on the team radio about wanting to attempt a one-stop strategy, as George Russell did.
On the other hand, Tom Kristensen elaborated on Stoffel Vandoorne’s analysis, adding that several factors influenced the strategy decisions. Kristensen noted that Red Bull, for instance, likely avoided a one-stop strategy because they only had one set of hard tires. He also highlighted that the wet conditions on the previous day meant that teams didn’t have complete data for race day, which turned out to be at least 10 degrees warmer. This increased temperature made the track harder on the tires, especially with its long corners exacerbating tire wear and graining.
Given these conditions, many teams anticipated a two-stop race strategy. Further, the former F1 driver mentioned that some teams even considered the possibility of a three-stop strategy before the race, indicating the uncertainty and complexity of tire management under evolving conditions.
Tom Kristensen Points Out the Reason For Mercedes’ Intra-Team Battle
Tom Kristensen believes Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari influences the intra-team battle with Russell in the 2024 season. When asked how much harder it is for Hamilton to accept Russell being the one to pull off the one-stop strategy, the former F1 racer acknowledged the challenge.
Subsequently, he noted that the decision to allow open racing between the teammates is partly because Hamilton is leaving for Ferrari next year, adding another layer to their rivalry. Moreover, the Danish racer found this dynamic exciting for the fans, as it adds to the intensity and intrigue of the season.
