‘That’s your job’: Frustrated Hamilton queries team strategy

MIAMI: A pissed off Lewis Hamilton questioned his Mercedes team’s strategy on Sunday (May 8) after he completed sixth behind team-mate George Russell on the Miami Grand Prix.

After the fifth race of the yr, Hamilton is sixth within the drivers’ standings on 36 factors, together with his fellow Briton fourth on 59.

The seven-time world champion stated he was stunned to be requested if he wished to pit for contemporary tyres throughout a security automotive interval after 41 laps of the inaugural 67-lap race on the Miami International Autodrome, gained by Max Verstappen.

“I really don’t know, in that scenario I have no clue where everyone is,” he defined when requested in regards to the incident.

“When the team say ‘it’s your selection’ – I don’t have the data to make the choice.

“That’s what your job is! Make the choice for me. You’ve bought all the main points proper there in entrance of you. I don’t.

“That’s what you rely on the guys for, but today they gave it to me and I didn’t understand it.”

The team determined to not pit Hamilton.

“It’s just a bit unfortunate on the safety car, but at least we got points today,” he stated.

“We’re finishing and reliability is good. We just have to keep trying. I’m excited to, at one stage, take a step forward, which we haven’t yet.”

He had completed a forlorn thirteenth two weeks beforehand on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Team-mate Russell made the a lot of the security automotive to pit for contemporary tyres and, with that benefit, was in a position to move Hamilton to complete fifth.

“It’s good when you battle with our team-mate,” Hamilton stated. “You show more respect, give more space and I enjoyed it. I think there’s good respect between us and I was pushing as hard as I could.”

He added that regardless of their improved outcome, the team had been nonetheless struggling to unlock the efficiency potential of their automotive.

“We have a fast car in there, but we don’t have the key to unlock it. There’s more to come and it’s frustrating.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc leads the title race with 104 forward of world champion Verstappen of Red Bull on 85.