The Hungarian Grand Prix gave us one of the most unusual starts at a Grand Prix in F1 history. As a Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton was the only driver in the field who started the race after the restart.
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All the drivers behind him went into the pits to change their tires and start the race from the pit lane. Although Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had previously defended the team’s decision, the German team is now justifying its decision not to pit Hamilton.
Lewis would have come out P5 if he pitted after the restart: Mike Elliott
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In his post-race debriefing, Mercedes Technical Director Mike Elliott gave the answers as to why Team Hamilton did not pit after the restart. He said the team is trying to avoid pit lane incidents to damage their race.
“Well, that’s pretty hard to say as it really comes down to finding the right gap in the pit lane to get out of the pits. We think P5 or P6. Maybe something like that, ”Elliott said of Hamilton’s position if he had pitted at the restart.
“But the bigger risk for us was colliding with another car in the pits to force our way out. And we would have to be conservative, ”said the technical director.
DIVE DEEPER
I want whatever they smoke at the end of this race: Lewis Hamilton
After her restart mistake, Hamilton tried to fight his way through the field. To encourage Hamilton during the race, Toto Wolff came on the radio and said, “Lewis, you can win this.”
Formula 1 F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – August 1, 2021, Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes after third place via REUTERS / Florion Goga
As reported by Express.co.uk, Hamilton Wolff gave a funny response to the radio message during the post-race press conference. “He has a big heart, Toto, but with all due respect, when I got the call, I thought I want whatever you smoke at the end of this race,” said Hamilton.
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“Because you guys [Ocon and Vettel] were so far ahead and I had to make another pit stop at the same time and it was impossible to catch up… ”said Lewis.
WATCH HISTORY: Biggest pit lane breakdowns with Hamilton, Raikkonen & Verstappen
Despite the result, Hamilton leads the championship 8 points ahead of Max Verstappen.
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Did Mercedes make a mistake by not pitting Lewis? Let us know.
The post Mercedes F1 Director reveals the HUGE aftermath of Pitting Lewis Hamilton on restart in Hungary first appeared on monter-une-startup.
