Hamilton criticizes strategy, Russell hit by engine trouble in tough Hungarian GP for Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration following the Hungarian Grand Prix, criticizing both his own driving error and a strategic decision that led to a penalty. "We shouldn't have pitted under the virtual safety car," Hamilton stated, explaining that he was instructed to enter the pits just before the pit lane entrance, leaving no time to contest the decision. He believes that even without the penalty, he likely would have finished third but instead conceded a podium position.

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We shouldn't have pitted under the virtual safety car. I was told to come in just before the pit lane entrance, so there was no time to argue; you have to trust the team's decision. Looking back, my tires were completely fine. Max would have overtaken me anyway, but I think I could have at least secured third place. Instead, we opened the way for the penalty I eventually received.

George Russell, Hamilton's teammate at Mercedes, faced his own set of challenges. He reported that his engine "went completely crazy" just before the start, exhibiting erratic high and low RPMs. This issue, coupled with problems with the anti-stall system, caused him to fall to the back of the field. Despite a strong recovery drive, Russell could only manage to climb back to seventh place.

The Hungarian Grand Prix marked Mercedes' most difficult weekend of the season. The team, currently leading the constructors' championship, was unable to contend for victory. While rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured a podium finish in third place, Russell was left disappointed by his performance. Team principal Toto Wolff voiced his anger towards drivers who impede faster cars, particularly those who do not move aside when being lapped, a situation that also affected his own drivers.

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I was on the throttle, waiting for the start, and then suddenly the engine went completely crazy: sometimes very high RPMs, sometimes very low. That can be added to the things that have happened to me in the first half of the year. I can only hope that the second half will be calmer.

Hamilton, despite the setbacks, is trying to maintain a positive outlook. "I'm trying to stay positive, keep fighting. I'm past the disappointment," he said, acknowledging that many events are beyond his control. He hopes for a calmer second half of the season, as he currently trails his teammate by nearly sixty points in the world championship standings.

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I'm trying to stay positive, keep fighting. I'm past the disappointment. After a while, you have to get up and accept that there are many things you can't control, yet they can work against you.