F1 | WATCH: Hamilton and Mercedes’ pit stop dilemma at the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix dissected

It’s rare to get such an insight into the decision-making process that goes in to pitting a driver for new tyres, but we got exactly that insight when Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was called in to pit with the laps ticking down in Turkey.

Hamilton was keen to complete the Turkish Grand Prix on the set of intermediate compounds that he had started the race on, hoping that staying out of the pits would help him keep track position and perhaps let him fight for the podium.

READ MORE: Hamilton was frustrated with Mercedes’ late pitstop call in Turkey – but what would have happened if he’d stayed out?

But the defending champion’s team had a different opinion, that difference becoming clear from Lap 40 of the race. What followed was a spirited debate over the radio that ultimately led to Hamilton being convinced to pit for new tyres on Lap 50 of the race. He eventually finished fifth – a solid return – from 11th on the grid.  —read more—