Hamilton hurt by similar problem to Verstappen's in Baku
F1 News
It was not an ideal Azerbaijan Grand Prix for Lewis Hamilton, after the Briton had to start from the pit lane this Sunday. Mercedes decided change the seven-time world champion's engine, and as a result, Hamilton was stuck in traffic for most of the day. The Briton was also not satisfied with his car, he told GPblog among others in Baku.
Mercedes decided to change Hamilton's engine after he finished in P7 in qualifying a day before. "It was the team's decision," Hamilton answered in Azerbaijan. Asked about whether he was happy to give up his starting position on the grid, he remained silent.
Hamilton struggles with balance
The seven-time world champion eventually finished the Grand Prix in P9, after a series of events helped him finish in the points. Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez crashed with each other fighting for P3, and Nico Hulkenberg had a late puncture.
During the race, Hamilton was also told to drive in a certain way. When GPblog asked about this radio message, he replied: "It was the worst balance I've probably ever had. One of the worst balances. Basically, I had so much front end and no rear, and so I had to turn, just like not the way you drive. I had to yank the steering to break the traction from the front, and then slide the front through every corner. The weirdest way to drive."
He continued: "I knew that we wouldn't be able to overtake today. This is not one of those tracks, it's difficult to follow in the middle. You need to at least be close towards the end. I don't know why it was so bad on our side, but it happens from Saturday."
Hamilton then also struggled to find positives in terms of what went right for them this Grand Prix: "We got data on, yeah… I mean, both car finished. George got really good points today."
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