Lewis Hamilton has taken 'responsibility' and vowed to 'be better' after reflecting upon his outbursts towards Ferrari during and after the Dutch Grand Prix.
Hamilton cut a frustrated figure at Zandvoort after finishing fourth, and claimed Ferrari's strategy had cost him a podium finish after losing time behind team-mate Charles Leclerc mid-race.
Hamilton, on fresher tyres, cruised up behind the sister car, with Leclerc initially being told to pit at the end of the lap, but stayed out for another tour, leaving Hamilton to claim the two lost laps were a "great way of wasting time, good job."
Post-race, he compared the delay in him being allowed through to continue his charge to that of Mercedes, where George Russell immediately followed team orders to let Kimi Antonelli back through for second late on following a VSC, and felt that if he had not been held him behind Leclerc, he would have been able to pass Russell and take third place.
The fourth place he did score cost Hamilton second place in the drivers' standings as Russell moved ahead on countback, with two wins to one, with both drivers tied on 183 points, 59 behind Antonelli, who increased his lead over the Ferrari by nine points across the Sprint and grand prix portions of the weekend.
Taking to social media on the Monday following the race, Hamilton explained that he had listened back to his comments on the radio and from his TV media duties, and that what was presented was not "the best version of me" and that he took "responsibility" for his actions - although he stopped short of a formal apology to the team.
"A tough weekend, but we leave with valuable points for the team and signs that we’re moving in the right direction," he wrote on Instagram.
"I’m incredibly proud of everyone back at the factory who continues to bring updates, find performance, and push us forward. To the team at the track, thank you. The commitment and effort never go unnoticed. We still have work to do, particularly over one lap, but we’ll keep digging in, learning and improving together.
"I’ve listened back to some of my radio and TV comments. In the heat of the moment, frustration can come out, especially when you care as deeply as I do. But that wasn’t the best version of me. I take responsibility for that, and I’ll be better. That passion comes from believing in this team, the people in it, and what we’re building together. The direction is clear. The belief is there. And the fight is absolutely still on.
"Thank you for sticking with us and with me. We’ll keep building, keep pushing and keep fighting.
"We’re coming."
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Originally published by RacingNews365 —
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