Lewis Hamilton denies 'fury' as "too much" made of Turkish GP radio outbursts

Hamilton in Turkey — Photo: © LAT Images

Turkish Grand Prix

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Hamilton denies 'fury' as "too much" made of Turkish GP radio outbursts

Hamilton repeatedly questioned Mercedes' desire to pit during the Turkish Grand Prix

Sam Hall

Monday 11 October 2021 12:50

Lewis Hamilton has claimed "too much" was made of his Turkish Grand Prix radio outbursts and that "it isn't true" he was furious with Mercedes.

Hamilton and Mercedes worked together perfectly in Russia to pit at the correct moment for intermediate tyres and take victory, with the result being his 100th win in F1.

After starting 11th following an engine penalty, Hamilton nursed a pair of intermediate tyres through to late in the race but ignored calls from his team to make a pit stop, instead continuing until lap 50 or 58.

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The decision to stop dropped Hamilton from third to fifth, although both Hamilton and Mercedes have since conceded this was also likely the best outcome had he been allowed to continue circulating.

Addressing the media directly on Instagram, Hamilton defended his 'passion' and wrote: "I've seen some of the press this morning which has made a bit too much of the incident in yesterday's race of when to pit.

"It isn't true to say I'm furious with my team.

"As a team, we work hard to build the best strategy possible but as the race progresses you have to make split decisions [and] there are so many factors constantly changing.

"Yesterday we took the risk to stay out hoping it would dry, it didn't. I wanted to risk it and try to go to the end, but it was my call to stay out and it didn't work.

"In the end we did pit and it was the safest thing to do. We live and learn. We win and lose as a team."

Hamilton unapologetic for his passion

Hamilton is statistically the greatest driver to have raced in F1 and as such, his on-track opinion carries significant weight.

Although team principal Toto Wolff claimed Mercedes need to "work on the communication to trust each other," Hamilton stood by his actions.

"Don't ever expect me to be all polite and calm on the radio when I'm racing," Hamilton added.

"We are all very passionate and in the heat of the moment that passion can come out, as it does for all drivers.

"My heart and spirit are out there on the track, it's the fire in me that got me this far but any angst is quickly forgotten and we talked it through, already looking ahead to the next race.

"Today's another day to rise and as a team."