Wolff: "We saw that Ricciardo did not slow down on the hard tyre"
F1 News
In Mexico, the one-stopper proved to be the correct strategy. Even though Lewis Hamilton doubted the call, the British driver benefited from a really long stint on the hard tyres. A call which helped him win the Mexican Grand Prix.
Hamilton managed 48 laps on the hard compound and kept a solid gap to Sebastian Vettel who was racing with tyres 14 laps younger. Daniel Ricciardo started on the hards and recorded good times which helped Mercedes decide to put Hamilton on the hards.
Toto Wolff explains the situation. Auto Motor und Sport quotes: “We just had to do something else. We were not completely sure if it would work. We knew that Daniel Ricciardo did not slow down in his Renault with its old hard tyre. He even continued to improve his times."
Hamilton was not entirely at ease and continued to raise concerns about the early pit stop over the onboard radio. Toto: “Our main strategist James Vowles was also the only one who was convinced it would work. He did a great job with his strategic team."