Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari strategy cost him a podium

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands - Lewis Hamilton said he could have been on the podium at the Aug 23 Dutch Grand Prix had Ferrari acted quicker to get him ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc.

The seven-time Formula One world champion ended up a close fourth, losing ground in the championship battle, with Leclerc fifth.

McLaren’s Lando Norris won, with Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and George Russell second and third after they had switched places.

In the championship, Hamilton is now level on points with Russell on 183 and 59 behind Antonelli, who has 242.

Hamilton had told Ferrari he was quicker than Leclerc on a different tyre strategy but the team delayed doing anything for a lap before pitting Leclerc, who stands at 155 points in the season tally so far.

“Let’s not hold ourselves up from a potentially better result,” Hamilton said over the radio.

“Big waste of time guys, good job,” he said sarcastically after Leclerc then pitted and the Briton set about catching Russell, finishing less than a second behind.

Speaking later, Hamilton, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes last year, praised his team and said the strategy had been “generally very good” but admitted it had been a frustrating afternoon.

“I’m here to win and I really believe that this team can win. We couldn’t win this race but to win championships, you have to pick up every point and the last few races have been difficult with penalties and stuff,” he told Sky Sports television.

“And then, today, I lost several seconds behind Charles which I think ultimately would have made the difference at the end.”

The next race is a home one for Ferrari, at Italy’s Monza circuit outside Milan. Leclerc and Hamilton have each won a race so far this season.

Ferrari last won a Formula One championship in 2008. REUTERS