What former Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg is risking on Mercedes’ strategy at Zandvoort and why he has sympathy for Lewis Hamilton
The closing stages of the 2022 Formula 1 race at Zandvoort: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen opts for soft tyres, Mercedes’ George Russell does the same on short notice. Only Lewis Hamilton remains out of the leading group on his used medium tyres – and is eventually pushed through to fourth place.
Hamilton’s former Formula 1 team-mate Nico Rosberg blames the Mercedes command post for this and says: “Strategically, this was not a goldmine, on the contrary.
“They decided to take a risk with Lewis, to leave him out there to have a chance of winning. If you do it like that, George definitely doesn’t win by bringing him into the pits. That’s clear because he’s falling behind Max. “
“So if you’re going to take a risk for the win, then you have to do it properly and leave George on the track as well, so he blocks Max and gives Lewis an even better chance to win,” Rosberg explained, adding, “That’s what went a bit wrong from my point of view. “
Rosberg understands Hamilton’s anger
He understands Hamilton’s anger on the radio because he was at a loss with his medium tyres. After all, the situation was “doubly bad” for Hamilton, says Rosberg.
“First he gets overtaken and loses the victory, then his team-mate flies past as well. That’s not a good feeling, believe me! It’s a pain in the arse. And for Lewis, one thing led to another. It was a really horrible experience for him. So of course you’re incredibly frustrated on the radio. It’s completely understandable.”
But Hamilton “regained his composure” soon after the race, Rosberg says. What’s more, Hamilton immediately apologised for his choice of words.
The seven-time world champion won’t leave it at that, though, Rosberg believes: “I guess he’ll get heated again behind closed doors. He’ll bang the table a bit. “
