Lewis Hamilton "out of practice" in handling bad days - Ross Brawn

Lewis Hamilton after the Grand Prix of Monaco — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes

Hamilton "out of practice" in handling bad days - Brawn

Hamilton struggled throughout the entire weekend at Monaco

Sam Hall

Tuesday 25 May 2021 09:28

Ross Brawn has backed Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to bounce back quickly from their horrendous weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Hamilton qualified seventh and despite the retirements of Charles Leclerc and team-mate Valtteri Bottas ahead finished the race in the same position after struggling for pace throughout the weekend.

Hamilton made his feelings plan to his team via a number of radio messages which F1's managing director motorsports Ross Brawn believes highlighted how the seven-time F1 champion has had it all his own way for some time.

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"Lewis was clearly agitated with the way his weekend was going in Monaco and that frustration boiled over in the race when he was unhappy with how his strategy was playing out," wrote Brawn in his regular post-race column.

"He’s a fierce competitor, so it should be expected that he will get frustrated when things don’t go his way. He has rarely had to experience this, so he’s a bit out of practice in handling these things.

"Yes, he was pretty robust but when he reflects on this weekend, I’m sure he will look at it differently. Mercedes and Lewis have been together for a long time – and know each other well – so they will get over it. It won’t be an issue."

Bottas luckless in Monaco

Turning his attention to the other side of the garage, Brawn expressed his sympathy for Bottas after the Finn retired from second when a cross-threaded wheel nut ended his day.

He added: "Valtteri was unlucky, too. He didn’t have the best car this weekend, but he looked in good shape for a podium before the pit stop problem. You see that issue once in a blue moon – so he’s been very unlucky."