Lewis Hamilton tyre decision "100 per cent" correct - Toto Wolff

Hamilton, Mercedes, Hungary — Photo: © LAT Images

Hungarian Grand Prix

Hamilton tyre decision "100 per cent" correct - Wolff

Hamilton fell to the back of the field through what seemed to be a strategic error

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Sunday 1 August 2021 19:42

Toto Wolff has insisted Mercedes' decision to leave Lewis Hamilton on intermediate tyres for the Hungarian Grand Prix restart was "100 per cent" the correct decision.

Hamilton made a clean getaway from pole position and avoided the carnage triggered by team-mate Valtteri Bottas behind to ensure he remained at the front for the standing restart after the resultant red-flag period.

On a drying track, however, Hamilton was the only driver of the 15 remaining to assume a grid position at the restart as the rest of the field pitted for slick tyres.

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When Hamilton eventually pitted at the end of the first lap following the restart, he emerged 14th and last but was able to stage a remarkable comeback to take third and the championship lead, with a wounded Red Bull of Verstappen finishing only 10th.

On the decision to stay out at the restart, Wolff said: "I don't think it was an error.

"Obviously, now, in hindsight, you can say yes it was wrong but I stand 100 per cent by it. We could have won today, we lost a lot of time behind Fernando [Alonso] and that made Esteban [Ocon] win the race, which is good."

Wolff was referring to the fact that Hamilton found himself behind Alonso for 10 laps late in the race before finally passing on 65 of 70, leaving him with not enough time to catch Ocon and second-placed Sebastian Vettel in his Aston Martin.

"Maybe with karma, maybe we didn't deserve to win and take 25 points today," added Wolff.

"I think 100 per cent the right decision and I stand by it. You need to make the call out there and judge if it is dry enough or not.

"I thought we have done one lap, it couldn't possibly dry up as it did and in the end, you have to take it on the chin. It was the wrong outcome but the decision was right.

Adding further insight as to why they opted against pitting, Wolff pointed to the chance of being held up in the pit box at the start of the pit lane as others entered for their stops.

"We calculated we would come out sixth with the train of cars going into the pits," said Wolff. "It is what it is."