Nico Rosberg critical of Mercedes strategy, slates Lewis Hamilton engineer as "below par"

Hamilton, Mercedes, DutchGP — Photo: © LAT Images

Dutch Grand Prix

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Rosberg critical of Mercedes strategy, slates Hamilton engineer as "below par"

Hamilton could not undercut Verstappen at Zandvoort

Ewan Gale

Sunday 5 September 2021 19:00

Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg has slated Mercedes' strategy decisions and singled out Lewis Hamilton's race engineer Pete Bonnington as "below par" at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Hamilton trailed eventual winner Max Verstappen throughout at Zandvoort, although at one stage appeared to have a chance at performing an undercut when just over a second behind the Dutchman.

Mercedes waited until the gap was stretched back out to three seconds before pulling the trigger, with Hamilton rejoining behind a swarm of cars battling over the lower reaches of the points.

Hamilton told Sky Sports F1 after the race he "didn't know what they were thinking".

In his punditry role, Rosberg was asked if Hamilton's strategy call of going longer would have changed the result, to which he replied: "No it wouldn't.

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"Today it was Max's race but it could have been a closer fight. The way they did it there was just no chance. It was a bit strange to see.

"Also, Lewis, he was really fast as well. It was not really true what he was saying, that Max was on a different planet.

"They have had a couple of moments. Not the usual high level of strategy that I have seen this year so something has gone on.

"I think this evening there is going to be some big discussions. Lewis even gave a low blow saying 'I don't know what they were thinking'."

Hamilton could be heard through the 72-lap event shouting "repeat, repeat" down the radio as 'Bono' attempted to pass on information.

Rosberg added: "What I also found really bad today was the comments from Bono to Lewis, so garbled and not clear and should he push now or not or what is he doing?

"That as a driver frustrated me like hell because I am like 'Come on, we are out there, we don't know what is going on. Give us clear guidance - push now or take it a little easy'. That was below par from Bono today."