“That’s **” – Lewis Hamilton Fumes & Makes a Strong Statement After Controversial Decision that Hands Max Verstappen Lead at Saudi Arabia

After Mick Schumacher’s crash at Turn 22 caused significant damage to the wall, the safety car was turned into a red flag. This decision really infuriated Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who insisted the barriers were okay.

During lap 12 of the Saudi Arabian GP, Schumacher lost his rear and slammed into the wall at Turn 22. This naturally brought out a safety car, which immediately led to a Mercedes double pit stop as Max Verstappen stayed out.

This would’ve played out in the hands of the Silver Arrows as they put hard compound tires on their drivers. But a subsequent red flag to repair the barriers gave Verstappen a free pit stop. And Hamilton wasn’t happy. He went as far as to say that the barrier was okay (it wasn’t).

“Why is it a red flag? The tyre wall looks fine. That’s ****. Find out the reason for the red flag,” Hamilton said on the radio.

Hamilton: “Why is it a red flag? The tyre wall looks fine. That’s ****. Find out the reason for the red flag.”#F1 | #SaudiArabianGP

— Motorsport Week (@MotorsportWeek) December 5, 2021

Lewis Hamilton was in a good position before the red flag

After starting in pole, Hamilton had a good start and went unchallenged in the opening corners. This was made all the better, as his teammate, Valtteri Bottas too got off to a good start as he started to create a cushion between the two championship rivals.

Hamilton was pulling away as the laps went by, putting in one fastest lap after another.

Of course, the safety car and the double pit stops meant Mercedes were looking at a one-stop strategy. Red Bull’s response was to bring in only Sergio Perez and keeping Verstappen out meant they were banking on another safety car later in the race.

Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 3, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during practice REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

And as of now, the chances for another safety car still remain high. But the team from Milton Keynes need not rely on that anymore.

The red flag has proved to be a boon for Max Verstappen and his team. And a possible misfire from Mercedes, much to the worries of the man sitting second in the championship and this race, Lewis Hamilton.

Also Read: How Max Verstappen’s Jeddah F1 Shunt is Akin to Lewis Hamilton’s 2007 Title Botch-Up

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