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Hamilton blames Ferrari strategy for missed Dutch GP podium
Lewis Hamilton has warned Ferrari they must improve their execution after strategy hesitations cost him a shot at the podium at Zandvoort.
By Nadia van Leeuwen - 2026-08-24T07:30:00.000Z - 2 min read
Lewis Hamilton voiced sharp frustration with Ferrari following the Dutch Grand Prix, arguing that sluggish tactical decisions cost him a realistic chance at a podium finish at Zandvoort. The race concluded with McLaren's Lando Norris taking victory ahead of a Mercedes double-podium featuring Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Hamilton crossed the line in fourth position, but the British driver was left reflecting on what might have been had his team acted more decisively.
Running on an alternate tyre strategy, Hamilton caught up to teammate Charles Leclerc and believed he had the pace to challenge further up the order. However, he lost valuable seconds while waiting for the pit wall to manage the situation. Over the team radio, his dissatisfaction was evident with a blunt message directed at the garage once Leclerc was finally brought in for his stop.
Hamilton drew a direct comparison to how his former team handled a nearly identical intra-team dilemma during the race. Mercedes smoothly orchestrated a position swap in the closing stages when Antonelli caught Russell on fresher tyres. Russell initially questioned the call while fighting for his own championship position, but ultimately yielded without resistance after acknowledging the pace advantage.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the intervention as an easy call from the pit wall. The leadership explained that pre-agreed rules dictate that teammates on contrasting strategies will not race each other and waste time when outside rivals are close behind. Russell echoed this logic after the flag, noting that Antonelli would have passed him regardless given the tyre offset.
In contrast, Hamilton felt Ferrari lacked the clinical efficiency required to fight at the very front. Pointing to the championship standings, where Antonelli extended his advantage, the seven-time world champion stressed that his squad cannot afford to squander points through hesitation. He emphasized that every single position matters when chasing a world title.
Hamilton now sits 59 points behind the championship leader alongside his teammate. While reiterating his belief in Ferrari's underlying potential to win races and titles, he made it clear that internal operations need immediate tightening. The matters regarding tactical timing and team orders are scheduled for discussion behind closed doors ahead of the next round.