Lewis Hamilton apologises for foul-mouthed rant at Mercedes team

Lewis Hamilton has apologised for his foul-mouthed rant at his Mercedes team following the Dutch Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen clinched a home victory.

The seven-time world champion looked on course for his first win of the season but was beaten by the Dutchman after Mercedes decided pit George Russell for soft tyres – keeping Hamilton on mediums – as Red Bull’s Verstappen surged past him for the victory.

Hamilton was also overtaken by Russell and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, seeing him drop from first to fourth as he missed out on a podium finish, which led to an explosive rant on his team radio.

‘That was the biggest f*** up,’ Hamilton said on Mercedes’ team radio. ‘I can’t believe you guys ****** me man.’

The 37-year-old British legend appeared to cool down after the race, deciding to apologise for his comments.

‘I think we had a car to win,’ Hamilton said. ‘Given the circumstances we were challenged with lots of things, the safety car, the virtual safety car.

‘The strategy and car have been so good today, the pit stops were the best.

<p lang=«en» dir=«ltr» xml:lang=«en»>Lewis Hamilton’s team radio at the end of the Dutch Grand Prix ð pic.twitter.com/bK23rinPLL

‘I was really hopeful we’d get a one-two together as a team but the safety car really didn’t help and I was on the edge of breaking point with emotions so my apologies to the team.

‘I just lost it for a second but I think they know there’s just so much passion.

‘I want to look at it as a glass half full. Without the safety car I think we’d have been challenging at the end for the win.

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