F1 News
Hamilton lets Russell pass anyway: 'Am obviously a team player'
- GPblog.com
Where previously the situation was often reversed, Lewis Hamilton was now given team orders himself during the Miami race. Mercedes asked if Hamilton could pass his teammate George Russell, who was on a different strategy. Hamilton initially seemed to ignore this team order, but eventually let his younger teammate pass.
The seven-time world champion had a disappointing qualifying session in Miami. The Briton was eliminated as early as the second part of qualifying and finished 13th. In the race, Hamilton tried something different by starting on hard tyres, while many other drivers, including Russell, started on mediums.
Hamilton gets team orders
About halfway through the race, the two Mercedes drivers met on the track. Russell was driving behind Hamilton on much newer hard tyres and was thus faster than the seven-time world champion.
Peter Bonnington joined Hamilton on board radio right away and said, "Okay Lewis we have George at 1.1 behind, so we aren’t racing him, we are racing Ocon. Let’s not hold each other up." Hamilton was not very impressed by the team order and replied, "He can go by but I’m not backing of though." Eventually, 'Bono' asked his driver again, then Russell did get passed by Hamilton.
'Am a team player'
So after asking twice, Hamilton finally lets his teammate pass. Speaking to Motorsport-Total.com, the Briton indicated that this was natural for him. "Of course I let him pass. Of course I am a team player and I want the team to get the maximum number of points," said the 38-year-old driver.