Lewis Hamilton was left seething with his team after a disastrous end to his race at the Dutch Grand Prix.
The Brit showed impressive pace throughout the race and looked to be the main rival to home favourite Max Verstappen. At one stage it even looked like he was the favourite to claim his first race win of 2022, such was the pace of his Mercedes.
But a couple of decisions made during late safety car periods changed everything. Hamilton was leading the race as Verstappen was pulled in for soft tyres, but then the second safety car saw them bunch up.
To make matters worse for the seven-time world champion, he lost the buffer that he had to the Red Bull star in the form of his team-mate George Russell. The younger Brit asked to pit, and the team allowed it so he could be on soft tyres for the final stages.
But it meant Verstappen was right on Hamilton's tail for the restart, and his fresher tyres helped him to roar past before they had even reach the first corner. That left the Brit miserable, and he was even less happy when Russell overtook as well as Charles Leclerc, who robbed him of the final podium spot.
"I can't believe you guys **** **** me, can't tell you how **** I am," he yelled over team radio. And that was after he had already told the team: "That was the biggest f*** up." After the race, he thanked the mechanics for their hard work but notably avoided mentioning the strategists.
Toto Wolff jumped onto the radio to try to defuse the situation, telling Hamilton: "Sorry it didn't work out, but what we discussed in the morning. We took a risk and it didn't work out. Let's discuss between us in the office."
The Austrian then excused Hamilton's outburst, telling Sky Sports: "First of all we are the trash bin for the driver. They are highly emotional. That close fighting for the win and then beaten up. Every emotion comes out... you are in the cockpit and you don't see everything."
Verstappen delighted the home crowd by taking the victory for Red Bull. Russell secured a strong result for Mercedes by finishing second, while Leclerc finished third for Ferrari ahead of Hamilton.
