Hamilton Laments Ferrari's Missed Undercut Opportunity at Italian GP

Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari squandered a key strategic opportunity at the Italian Grand Prix, potentially costing him a higher finish. Despite a strong drive from P10 to P6, Hamilton felt P5 was within reach if the team had attempted an undercut on George Russell.

Why it matters:

A potential fifth-place finish would have provided valuable points for Hamilton and Ferrari, especially as he aims to adapt to the Ferrari machinery. Strategic decisions like underrcutting can significantly impact race outcomes and championship standings.

The details:

• Strong Start: Starting tenth due to a five-place grid penalty, Hamilton made excellent early progress, soon closing in on George Russell, who was stuck behind Charles Leclerc.
• Missed Undercut: Hamilton was approximately 1.5 seconds behind Russell when the Mercedes driver pitted for hard tyres. Hamilton expressed his belief that an undercut attempt could have secured him P5.
• Race Outcome: Russell ultimately finished fifth, 4.5 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who settled for sixth.
• Monza Performance: Despite the strategic oversight, Hamilton noted his car felt strong at Monza, performing well in low-speed sections.

What's next:

Hamilton looks ahead to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a track he anticipates will present similar challenges to Monza with its combination of high-speed straights and technical corners. He expects to be "on the back foot" initially as he continues to adapt to the Ferrari car on a new circuit.

• Championship Gap: Charles Leclerc's fourth-place finish extended his lead over Hamilton in the Drivers' Championship to 46 points.
• Adaptation Process: Hamilton emphasizes the ongoing challenge of learning the nuances of the Ferrari car at different circuits, moving from years of experience with Mercedes.