© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
Praise for Lewis Hamilton’s amazing Bahrain Grand Prix drive is coming from all sides. Pirelli boss Mario Isola praises Lewis’ tyre management, while Dr. Helmut Marko admits the Briton was “smart” in his duel with Max Verstappen.
After Hamilton amazingly held off Max Verstappen to with the Bahrain Grand Prix on older tyres, Pirelli boss Mario Isola was full of praise.
“Tyre strategy was at the forefront of this exciting race, with Hamilton and Mercedes twice stopping earlier than Verstappen and Red Bull”, Isola said on the Pirelli website.
“Hamilton had to complete a longer final stint, which he managed brilliantly.”
In the final stages of the race Verstappen managed to overtake Hamilton, however he had to give the position back, because he exceeded track limits. Even Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko had to admit Lewis’ drove a brilliant and smart race.
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“According to Max, that was the sporting thing to do,” Marko said to ServusTV.
“He wasn’t even back on the ideal line when the call came that we should let Hamilton pass. I have no idea what would have happened if he hadn’t done that.
“[Hamilton] was smart, because he let himself fall back on purpose until he caught up with Verstappen again.”
Because of this, according to Marko, Verstappen’s tyres picked up some dirt and he was unable to get close enough to overtake.
“[Hamilton’s] tyres were dead, but apparently he had a revival,” Marko explained.
“And because of the dirt on our tyres, a final offensive by Verstappen wasn’t possible.”
