Lewis Hamilton criticises Mercedes strategy that ‘made no sense’ after being told to give DRS to George Russell at Japanese Grand Prix – before tactic backfired as his team-mate was overtaken by Carlos Sainz
- Lewis Hamilton critical of Mercedes tactics at the end of Japanese Grand Prix
- The move backfired when Carlos Sainz overtook team-mate George Russell
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Lewis Hamilton has criticised the Mercedes strategy that almost derailed his race at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Hamilton was told by team-mate George Russell to marginally slow down in the dying laps of the race, to give Russell DRS and hold off Carlos Sainz’s challenge behind him.
However, the move proved to be ill-advised as the Ferrari driver ended up overtaking Russell and then piled pressure on Hamilton during the closing stages of the race.
Following the breakdown in tactics, Hamilton was critical of the decision and claimed it made no sense for his team to make that call.
‘When they suggested it to me, I knew that they obviously thought of it from the last race but it made no sense.’ Hamilton said.
Lewis Hamilton has hit out at Mercedes tactics in the closing stages of the Japanese Grand Prix
The move backfired and saw George Russell overtaken by Carlos Sainz in the final laps
‘I needed to get as far clear as possible. I was on my way, around two seconds ahead and they asked me to give George DRS and I had to come off the gas down the straight.
‘Then he got overtaken by Sainz. He then got past George and he was right on my tail which was not ideal.’
Hamilton finished the race in 5th place, with Sainz failing to overtake him in the end in 6th, Russell a further place back in 7th.
The comments come after a difficult race for Hamilton and his team, after the two British drivers clashed over the radio following two near collisions with each other in the early stages of the grand prix.
Max Verstappen returned to winning ways in Japan, finishing first on the podium after his disappointing run in Sigpore last week.
The reigning world champion finished twenty seconds ahead of Lando Norris and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in a comprehensive victory.
The two Mercedes drivers had almost collided with each other earlier on in the race in Japan
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