Source:REUTERS/Mark Peterson
[Saba Sports News] After the Australian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton remained quite calm regarding the team’s decision not to pit both drivers during the virtual safety car phase, suggesting he felt no regret. He stated that given the overall pace of the race and the strength of the competitors, securing third and fourth places was already the best outcome possible that day. During the race, there was a virtual safety car at a relatively opportune time for a pit stop. The Mercedes team chose to take advantage of this opportunity to minimize tire change time loss, while Ferrari opted to keep Hamilton and Charles Leclerc on the track. At that time, Hamilton had inquired over the team radio why they didn’t pit, prompting discussions about Ferrari’s strategy. In response, Hamilton explained that seeing one Mercedes car in front of him and another behind him pit made him think he should also pit, indicating that at least one of the cars could have attempted to defend.
The editor believes that the controversy surrounding Ferrari’s strategy appears to be a case of poor decision-making on the spot, but in essence, it results from a combination of technical shortcomings, inefficient management, and cultural rigidity. Whether they can break this cycle in the 2026 season will determine the fate of this legendary team over the next decade.