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Former world champion Lewis Hamilton at the Zandvoort racetrack
Photo: Yves Herman / REUTERS
Lewis Hamilton has apologized to his Mercedes team for freaking out over the team radio at the Formula 1 race in the Netherlands.
"I apologize to the team, I don't even remember what I said," said the record world champion after the gripping race on Sunday in Zandvoort.
“It was like I lost my mind for a second.
But you know it's just a lot of passion.«
Hamilton had chances of winning when the safety car rolled onto the course in the final stages of the race.
Competitors Max Verstappen, George Russell and Charles Leclerc pitted for fresh tires.
Hamilton, on the other hand, stayed outside in the lead.
When the race was restarted, the Mercedes man was immediately overtaken by Verstappen, with Russell and Leclerc then following.
Stopping strategy may cost podium
Hamilton then grumbled wildly about the strategy, and in the end he finished fourth in Verstappen's next win.
“We came here and struggled with the last race.
Today we fought against the Red Bulls, in many places we were even faster than most of the others,” said a later calmed Hamilton.
“We're the driver's dumpster.
He's sitting in there alone and throwing up," remarked Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.
But it was right to “hold the position.
It didn't work out for him in the end but I'd rather take the risk of winning the race with Lewis than finish second or third.” Hamilton's teammate Russell finished second ahead of Leclerc.
cev/dpa