Last Updated: 04/09/22 8:21 PM Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Lewis Hamilton expresses frustration with Mercedes’ strategic decisions over team radio during Dutch Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton expresses frustration with Mercedes’ strategic decisions over team radio during Dutch Grand Prix Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was surprised by Mercedes’ late-race strategy decisions during the Dutch GP, despite Max Verstappen insisting he would have won the race regardless. Verstappen extended his world championship lead to 109 points after coming out on top in an absorbing contest with Lewis Hamilton amid a dramatic race that saw a virtual and full Safety Car change strategies in the closing stages. Hamilton and George Russell led Verstappen after the Dutchman passed the lead on soft tires when Valtteri Bottas brought out a Safety Car, but Russell decided to pit as well, leaving Hamilton exposed to his older medium tyres. Verstappen immediately passed Hamilton on the restart, before Russell and Charles Leclerc, who was also on fresh softs, passed the Briton to leave him to finish fourth. “You have your home driver, driving in front of 105,000 people, and you decide to put him on the soft tires and give up track position behind two Mercedes,” Horner said. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Christian Horner praised the entire Red Bull team for Max Verstappen’s win and felt the Dutchman was “in the zone from the moment he arrived” until he crossed the line.
Christian Horner praised the entire Red Bull team for Max Verstappen’s win and felt the Dutchman was “in the zone from the moment he arrived” until he crossed the line. “I was surprised they didn’t leave George out of strategy as a back-up for Lewis. When he pitted, it was a straight battle between Max and Lewis with a tire offset. “By the time they passed us at the pit wall, Max was already next and then it was a matter of race control.” Russell appeared to convince Mercedes to allow him to stop on team radio, while Hamilton reacted furiously during the race, before apologizing to his team afterwards. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Verstappen overtakes Hamilton on restart after Safety Car end at Dutch Grand Prix
Verstappen overtakes Hamilton on restart after Safety Car end at Dutch Grand Prix “My biggest concern was that it would be two against one,” Horner added. “But when George appeared to confuse himself, it unleashed a one-on-one match with Max versus Lewis.”

Verstappen: Pitting Russell was a smart call

Verstappen was adamant he had the pace to win the race under any conditions and said pitting Russell was a “smart call”. “I think I would have taken both of them anyway if they were out,” Verstappen said. “So I think it was a smart call to pit as well.” Verstappen started the race from pole on the soft tyre, while Hamilton and Russell, starting fourth and sixth respectively, were on the more durable medium. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Verstappen says it’s been an incredible weekend and praises his team for making the right calls with pit stops
Verstappen says it’s been an incredible weekend and praises his team for making the right calls with pit stops This allowed the Silver Arrows to run longer and switch to a single-stop strategy when the cars further back in the field showed that the hard tires were performing much better on race day than the simulations had suggested in practice. As the race wore on, it looked like Verstappen would have to pass both Hamilton and Russell on a tight track. But a freak stop by Yuki Tsunoda – amid tire and seatbelt problems – triggered a virtual safety car and a chance for the Dutchman to pit and not lose huge amounts of time. Hamilton also stopped and Verstappen was back in control before Botta’s technical problem led to a full Safety Car with 15 laps to go which saw the final drama unfold. “I think everything worked well,” Verstappen said. “We stayed calm and there’s not a lot of confusion on the radio – they know what to do. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok analyzes Mercedes’ strategies during the Dutch Grand Prix, with Hamilton missing out on a potential win
Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok analyzes Mercedes’ strategies during the Dutch Grand Prix, with Hamilton missing out on a potential victory “Although we couldn’t really do our preferred strategy initially because of that VSC – it was a bit unlucky. We had to go to that hard tyre, which wasn’t my preferred tyre, but it just seemed like we were more competitive on the softer union because once we went back to soft everything was fine. “It was just hard to predict. After that VSC I was out on the hard, which wasn’t great, but I think I would have made it to the end, the gap would have been fine. “But then of course we had to go again with the Safety Car and you’re behind. Of course I had the softer compound, but they were so quick on the harder compound that I said, ‘let’s see if we can actually pass them’.” “Then on the restart, luckily we had a good run and I was able to lead, and then I felt very comfortable with the car and the tires again.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Verstappen wins Dutch Grand Prix in front of home fans to extend lead at top of drivers’ standings
Verstappen wins Dutch Grand Prix in front of home fans to extend lead at top of drivers’ standings Verstappen claimed a second consecutive victory at his home race, following his triumph on the field’s long-awaited return to the calendar last year. It was his first time competing on home soil as world champion, with a party atmosphere created by the orange-clad fans throughout the weekend. “It’s always special to win your home GP,” said Verstappen, who is closing in on retaining his title with just seven races remaining this season. “This year I had to work harder for it. An incredible weekend and I’m very happy that we won the Dutch GP.”