How a Mercedes "bad call" checkmated Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton lamented Mercedes' call to pit him for a second time in the Hungarian Grand Prix, fearing it had cost him a chance to beat Max Verstappen. But the decision was a masterstroke, helping what turned out to be the fastest car to win a race it had barely led

Edd Straw Aug 5, 2019, 9:10 AM

Upd: Aug 5, 2019, 2:49 PM

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Sometimes, a race is won or lost long before victory and defeat manifest themselves on track. Lewis Hamilton's Hungarian Grand Prix victory was ostensibly secured when he passed Max Verstappen for the lead with just under four laps remaining after brilliantly chasing down the Red Bull driver. But the decisive moment really came on lap 47 of the 70 as Hamilton rounded the Turn 13 left-hander and was instructed to close on leader Verstappen.

The request to narrow the gap, which then stood at a second, was the moment Mercedes committed to making a pitstop that put Verstappen and Red Bull in check and with only two possible moves to make. Both were losing choices; checkmate in one move.