Dutch GP: Mercedes to review decision-making after late Lewis Hamilton, George Russell wet pit stops

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff reflects on their strategy mistake at Zandvoort, acknowledging that sometimes it’s beneficial to take risks even if it leads to some pain. McLaren also shares similar regrets about their pit stop timing.

Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, plans to analyze the team’s mistakes during the chaotic start of the Dutch GP. These errors are believed to have affected Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s performance and potentially hindered their chances of a better result.

During the race at Zandvoort, Hamilton and Russell were among the few drivers who did not pit in the first two laps. As rain unexpectedly intensified, this strategic move proved crucial.

Hamilton and Russell pitted on laps three and four, rejoining the race at the back of the field with a significant gap to the front.

Wolff admitted that the cars were kept out on the track for too long, which resulted in a catastrophic outcome. The team will now analyze the situation and work together to prevent such mistakes in the future.

“We will review thoroughly,” the Mercedes team principal told Sky Sports F1.

“The situation is never one person or one department, it is the communications between driver, pit wall, strategy, the ‘weather frog’, and then all of us taking decisions.

“That was absolutely sub-par from all of us, and that includes me.”

Wolff, who often says Mercedes emerge stronger from difficult experiences, added: “It’s good when it hurts.

“When it stings, it sticks.”

In wet and then drying conditions, Mercedes’ cars showed good pace and made strategic calls to climb back into the top eight before the race was red-flagged on lap 63.

“We got it completely wrong and it is annoying because the car had real pace. From there on, it was just recovering as good as we could,” said Wolff.

“I would rather have a fast race car and a mediocre result even if it hurts. We saw at the end on the intermediates, George had Max’s pace and Lewis was very strong behind Sainz. He could have been much further ahead.

“But it is bittersweet because the result is just really bad. It could have been good but that doesn’t count in this sport.”

Hamilton and Sainz had a close battle for sixth place, with Hamilton finishing just behind. However, Russell had a difficult race and finished in 17th after a puncture caused by contact with Norris.