Another podium in the bag for Lewis Hamilton; The seven-time world champion’s second consecutive P3 since the Canadian Grand Prix. But, unlike the previous race in Montreal, it doesn’t seem like Hamilton is as happy with his end result this time around.
Of course, one might question this statement considering Mercedes’ turbulent outing so far, with a race victory yet to arrive despite completing one-third of the season. But, truth be told, the British GP could certainly have put an end to the Silver Arrows’ victory drought.
#BritishGP #Race too long the pit stop of #LewisHamilton now p3 pic.twitter.com/Z4ZVqRl0NG
— Linalan96.2.0 (@0Linalan96) July 3, 2022
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Hamilton looked at his absolute best right from the word ‘go’, keeping himself within the striking distance of the two Ferraris. Unfortunately, the Mercedes crew failed to match his perfection, wrecking Hamilton’s race. Quite unsurprisingly, the entire Hamilton and Mercedes fandom are raving about how the defending champions dug their own grave in what could have been their star driver’s greatest home race.
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To the readers unaware of what had happened to Hamilton, let us give you a quick look back.
Could Lewis Hamilton have won the British GP?
The Briton, as mentioned earlier, was pushing his W13 to its absolute limit and found himself in P3 by the time the red flags arrived on lap 1. However, the FIA reverted his starting position to P5 before the second restart. Regardless, the Max Verstappen puncture and Sergio Perez’s early pit stop boosted the Briton up into the top 3 again.
Although the Mercedes was just not quick enough to challenge the Ferraris, Hamilton somehow maintained an impressive 4-second gap to Charles Leclerc. Then arrived the pit stop for the race leaders, which further helped Hamilton claim P1.
What followed was a rather extraordinary stint on the old set of tires, lapping almost on par with the Ferraris behind. Unfortunately, his hard work went down the drain when he came into the pits for a set of hard tires.
The 37-year-old would have hoped for a 2-second pit stop, but Mercedes ended up doubling the number. Hence, Hamilton yet again came out of the pits behind Sainz and Leclerc.
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Indeed, with 10-lap fresher tires and a much more lively engine at the back, Hamilton did push hard to regain the lead. However, the raging straight-line speed of Ferrari suggested otherwise. From thereon, Hamilton pretty much had to stare into the back of a Ferrari almost till the chequered flag which officially handed him an unsatisfactory consolation trophy with P3.
F1 fans enraged as Mercedes make a mess at Silverstone
Just by having a look at Twitter, one can sense that the British fans aren’t particularly happy with Mercedes’ poor work. Here are some of the hand-picked tweets;
who else will mess up lewis’ race if not for merc themselves… 4 second pit stop just as everything was going right for lewis 🫠
— 🏎 (@talkthetrack) July 3, 2022
What a bad pit stop. Merc at it again.
— ️ (@Puqwan) July 3, 2022
I need a spotless pit stop from that merc team. I need it!
— le’Giza (@Givenkazeni) July 3, 2022
I’m so scared we’ll have a terrible pit stop Merc pls I am begging you to get this right
— Marie #IStandWithLewisHamilton (@formulaMickarie) July 3, 2022
okay now . merc im BEGGING YOU to not bottle this lead with the strategy/pit stop 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
— ivana (@fancyashoey) July 3, 2022
mercedes pit stop crew pic.twitter.com/FQKSDgHAY4
— reva (@moomooalbon) July 3, 2022
"Don't fumble LH leading"
Mercedes Benz F1 team on Pit stop: pic.twitter.com/AinI2iMRxK
— Thapelo (@teep___) July 3, 2022
Two things in life are certain: death, and a terrible Mercedes pit stop when you desperately need it to be good.
— Ethereal Witch (@EtherealWitch_) July 3, 2022
firstly.huge2 congrats to @carlossainz55 cause he deserved to be there> BUT WE ALL KNOW THIS WAS A 100%% LEWIS HAMILTON WIN! even LH won't deny thatttt! but obviously some things don't always work in our favor and today the pit stop caused a hazard. BUT WE MOVE ON P3 for LEWIS.
— alee (@eajley) July 3, 2022
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Had #LewisHamilton had a better pitstop we couldve seen him in P1 today. Mercedes looking more and more competitive.
— O.g dread (@Ogdread3) July 3, 2022
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