Lewis Hamilton unknowingly hints Mercedes might’ve sabotaged his run by not letting him stay out on ‘better’ medium tire at Canadian GP

Lewis Hamilton indirectly hinted that Mercedes' strategy might've benefited George Russell during the Canadian GP.

Lewis Hamilton unknowingly hints Mercedes might’ve sabotaged his run by not letting him stay out on ‘better’ medium tire at Canadian GP

Lewis Hamilton [L] George Russell [R] (images via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton had a difficult outing at the Canadian GP. The British driver failed to qualify at the front of the grid while his teammate George Russell secured pole position. The seven-time world champion made his way to fourth place in the race. However, Hamilton revealed that Mercedes’ strategy might have hampered his prospects in the race.

As the track dried out in Montreal, Lewis Hamilton initially switched to the medium tires. However, Mercedes asked the 39-year-old to pit for the hard compound to make it till the end of the race. On the other hand, George Russell managed to complete his final stint on the mediums as he had previously pitted for hards.

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Lewis Hamilton claimed that he was unaware about Russell using the mediums at the end of the race. The seven-time world champion claimed that if Mercedes had informed him regarding the same, he would’ve stayed on mediums instead of switching to the hards. Hamilton reckoned that the medium compound was simply a much better tire. As such, the Silver Arrows’ strategy might’ve sabotaged the 39-year-old’s chance of securing his first podium of the season.

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I didn’t know that [George] would be going on to a medium tire. If I did I would’ve stayed out in the medium tire, the medium tire was much better.
Lewis Hamilton said post-race

Lewis Hamilton claims George Russell was ‘half a second quicker’ on medium tires

Hamilton and Russell battled it out for the final spot on the Canadian GP podium at the end of the race. The seven-time world champion pushed to the limit but failed to match his younger teammate. As George Russell crossed the chequered flag in third place, ahead of the 39-year-old.

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton claimed that Mercedes did not make the right call by putting him on hards. The seven-time world champion admitted that he had no chance of keeping Russell behind as the 26-year-old was around half a second quicker on the medium tires.

Amongst so many other… balance driving, that was not such a great call and ultimately I couldn’t keep him behind me. He had half a second on me at least with those tires.
Lewis Hamilton asserted

Certainly, Lewis Hamilton was not happy with his performance at the Canadian GP. The 39-year-old even deemed it as one of the poorest races of his entire career. However, the seven-time world champion would be looking to bounce back straightaway and potentially fight for victory at the next round of the season in Barcelona.

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