“Neither Fish Nor Meat” – Button Slams ‘Stupidest’ Lewis Hamilton F1 Call at Turkey

Lewis Hamilton left the Istanbul Park circuit fuming as he finished P5. He was on for a podium finish but pitted with just 7 laps to go in the race. The pit stop left him in P5 and he lost the championship lead to Verstappen. Former F1 world champion Jenson Button calls the pit stop by Lewis Hamilton as the stupidest mistake.

Button mentioned that there was no need for the Mercedes driver to pit in the last laps. But he continued by stating that he understood why Hamilton was frustrated at the end of the race.

WATCH STORY: Verstappen the Big Winner as Hamilton Loses Out at Turkish F1 Grand Prix

His tire change came at the stupidest moment: Jenson Button

As reported by Speedweek.com, the former McLaren driver mentioned the pit stop came at a critical moment. He also mentioned that Lewis got between strategies.

“His tire change came at the stupidest moment. I can understand that Lewis was frustrated after the Grand Prix. He was caught between two strategies. Had he picked up fresh intermediates earlier, like most of his opponents, it would have been a good decision.” said Button.

Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – October 10, 2021, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after finishing the race in fifth place REUTERS/Umit Bektas

“And one can certainly speculate whether it might not have been able to drive through after all. Then everyone would have said what a great move it was. But in the end, something came out that was neither fish nor meat. “ said the former world champion.

READ MORE: How did Lewis Hamilton get into f1?

Former world champion analyzes why it didn’t work for Lewis Hamilton

Button, a former teammate of Hamilton, stated that the Mercedes driver had succeeded in the same conditions last year. He continued by mentioning that maybe Hamilton was not aware that he might lose positions after his pit stops.

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – Jenson Button of Great Britain and McLaren Honda in the garage during practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

“Ultimately, it all boils down to information. I don’t think Lewis was aware that if he picked up fresh tires, he would lose two places to Pérez and Leclerc. In any case, he sounded quite upset on the radio afterward when he realized that he had dropped to rank 5.” said Button.

Hamilton lost the championship lead and now trails Verstappen by 6 points. Had he not pitted, he would have finished in P3 and would just be 1 point behind Max.

Should Lewis have pitted? Let us know

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