Formula 1, Mercedes: Hamilton forces podium with gambling

Lewis Hamilton continued his insane streak of podiums within the UK in 2023. Since 2013, the Brit has at all times made it onto the rostrum at his residence race. Hamilton was on the rostrum a complete of 14 occasions at Silverstone, the Briton’s most profitable observe. He did that once more this yr with third place. However regardless of the rostrum celebration, the temper within the Mercedes-Storage not overlooked. The qualifying tempo and a brand new opponent within the battle for second place are a priority for the group.

Hamilton drives onto the rostrum with playing techniques

After qualifying, all hopes for a podium for the silver riders appeared gone. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton began the race from positions six and 7. Overwhelmed by Ferrari and even McLaren. “We knew we might get an replace right here. It was disappointing that we did not take a step that may take us far ahead,” mentioned Hamilton, describing the temper on Saturday.

However, there was nonetheless a small ray of hope for the Brit from the darkish cockpit of the Mercedes W14: “Now we have long term tempo, that was already evident on Friday,” reveals Hamilton. With begin and tempo in racing trim, every little thing appeared doable in any case. However even that did not need to succeed for the document winner of System 1 at first.

Hamilton misbraked in flip three on the primary lap and fell again to ninth place. Solely then did the nice long term tempo take impact. The Brit with Grenadian roots labored his manner again as much as seventh place – previous Pierre Gasly and ex-teammate Fernando Alonso. The Mercedes driver then repeatedly lowered the hole to Carlos Sainz earlier than he got here into the pits. Hamilton, however, fell by the wayside with one final hope.

“I actually did not count on to be on the rostrum at this time. We simply deliberate to placed on the medium tire and wait till a security automobile got here out sooner or later. And that occurred,” Hamilton explains the battle plan. A battle plan whose consequence was past your management. “I speculated on it and wished to drive to the top.”

Hamilton loses duel in opposition to McLaren and Norris

After his cease, Hamilton returned to the 5.891-kilometre Silverstone Circuit in third place in entrance of Oscar Piastri as an alternative of behind Carlos Sainz. Subsequent cease: Lando Norris’ second-placed McLaren MCL60.

Hamilton, popping out of the pits with tender tires, smelled the possibility for second place and with it three extra World Championship factors, identical to the group boss This is Wolff. “When the security automobile got here out, I used to be fairly positive we might eat up the McLarens and end the race in P2 and P3,” mentioned the Austrian.

The alternative was the case. Neither the seven-time world champion nor George Russell behind him have been in a position to assault the 2 McLarens in the long term. Hamilton made not less than a number of makes an attempt in opposition to Lando Norris, however there was no getting previous the McLaren.

“I did not know the way good they have been. I solely noticed that once I was behind Lando. I attempted to move however within the high-speed corners they crushed us. […] Then I attempted to go inside into flip seven, pushed the overtake button and wished to assault, however he simply had much less headwind. After which I needed to withdraw,” Hamilton describes the duel. The Brit needed to accept third place.