(Motorsports news) The two were running fifth and sixth in the final stages of the Suzuka race as the fast-charging Sainz drew in behind them. Hamilton, who was on stronger tyres, was ultimately permitted past Russell, but was then forced to slow down to keep Russell within DRS range so he wouldn’t be such a sitting duck against Sainz on the straights. This happened just one week after Sainz masterfully exploited the approach to give Lando Norris a boost, successfully fending off a Mercedes charge.
“He got DRS but was overtaken, which was inevitable because he was on a one-stop and we were on a two-stop. Then Sainz got by him and was right on my tail, so yeah, not ideal.” It made the last few laps difficult, but as a team, I think we can be happy with fifth and seventh. It’s superior to a sixth and seventh.”
Hamilton thought that Mercedes should have handled the situation between him and Russell better because they both wasted time racing each other during that vital stretch of the race. “We should have switched around earlier, and I should have gotten as far ahead as I could to keep the gap to the Ferrari as big as I could,” he remarked.
“I think if we had inverted, George would have had a better time holding him behind, but because he was fighting me and damaging his tyres, I think it just complicated things. The truth is that we’re not competing in the teams’ championship because the drivers’ isn’t important where we are, remarked Hamilton. What matters is that one of us finishes ahead of the Ferrari to maintain our position in the constructors’ standings.” So we really needed to work as a team today”, added Hamilton.
Hamilton admitted to being difficult on his teammate, but he did not believe he had gone too far, as his performance had been hampered by a collision with Sergio Perez on the run down to the first turn. “I was definitely aggressive, but I think it was good racing,” he admitted. “Honestly, I shouldn’t have been in that situation.
“But I believe I picked up something on the right front, and it just kept snipping the front right at the last corner and Turn 9.” It wouldn’t turn through the hairpin then. “I’d been good all weekend through there, but I was turning and nothing was happening.” I definitely had trouble staying on track with the balance. But it was a good struggle, a touch aggressive, but it was necessary to gain position.”
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