Hamilton: I couldn't overtakeposted in F126 | 03 | 2017
A RATHER SUBDUED Lewis Hamilton has admitted he stopped pushing after the single pit-stop in the Australian Grand Prix because mounting an attack on-track was futile. (Related: Vettel plays down title talk)
The three-times world champion had led the opening stint from pole position in his Mercedes, but after emerging behind the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, and finding it impossible to overtake the 19-year-old Dutchman, Sebastian Vettel took the lead when he completed the ‘overcut’ in his Ferrari.
Hamilton admitted he was surprised Vettel could follow him so easily early on, despite never getting close enough for an on-track pass. He also said he backed off after the single pit-stop because he knew it would be impossible to mount a rebuttal.
Related: Vettel wins opening F1 GP of 2017)
“If the roles were reversed, if he was ahead, he probably would have pulled away,” Hamilton explained after the podium celebrations said.
“They definitely had more pace on the ultra-soft tyre. And I think I had more pace in the second stint, but I stopped so much earlier that I really did not know how long the tyres were going to last.
“I didn't want to push to close the gap knowing that I could not overtake anyway. And then find that I had run out of tyres at the end and lose second place. So it was really once I came out behind the other car, behind Sebastian, it was really about damage limitation.”
Related: Scot John McPhee reflects on Moto3 GP podium
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Jim McGill