Lewis Hamilton said he would prefer to trust his racer’s instinct rather than instruction from his Mercedes team after they admitted it was likely a software error cost him victory in the opening grand prix of the season in Australia.
Hamilton was passed by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel when the German took a pit stop after the virtual safety car had been deployed. Mercedes had not advised Hamilton to open up a greater lead since their data said the gap he held was sufficient. But that information proved incorrect.
“Definitely,” was Hamilton’s reply when asked if he would prefer to use his intuition over computer analysis. “Today it is such a team effort but when you are relying on so much data, so much technology to come out with the strategy or whatever, I wish it was more in my hands. I feel like I was driving as good as ever today.”
The four-times world champion was adamant that had he known a greater advantage was needed to ensure Vettel could not pass him during a stop under the VSC, he could have achieved it. “In the race I had extra tools. I could have been further ahead by the first pit stop. There were so many things we could have done. But if you think you are doing it by the book and the limits, then there is nothing you can do.”
Hamilton pushed hard to catch Vettel in the second half of the race but with passing exceptionally hard at Albert Park he could do little and ultimately chose to accept second place to conserve his engine. The teams are allowed to use only three before incurring grid penalties and Hamilton criticised the restraints this places on the drivers.
“That goes against my spirt of racing. I want to race right down to the line. I am fit enough, I felt good. But the way the sport is set up with three engines you have to think about that and back off. So it’s probably not exciting for the fans.”