Lewis Hamilton claims problems with his radio communication played a major part in the decision to switch to intermediate tyres during the Hungarian GP.
Hamilton looked like he had the race under control with less than 25 laps to go, but then things went horribly wrong for the 2008 World Champion. After spinning off the track in a brief shower, he was called into the pits by his team for a change to inters.
However, it proved to be the wrong call as the rain didn't very long and he slipped to P5 behind Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber. He eventually managed to overtake Webber for the P4.
The 26-year-old says there was some confusion over his stop for inters due to problems with the radio.
"We were having radio issues," Hamilton is quoted by Autosport as saying. "I could hear my engineers, but they couldn't hear me, so I was constantly asking for information but they couldn't hear me. So it was a very difficult call for them.
"I think there was perhaps one point when they got some information from me but maybe it was a little bit of info. I heard them say it was going to rain and it was already spitting, so we opted to go for the wet tyres. I think they called me in and I did the lap. Anyway the tyres went off and it wasn't necessarily the best call, but that's motor racing."
Hamilton also received a drive-through penalty for forcing Paul di Resta off the track when he rejoined the race following his spin.
"I made a big mistake," Hamilton admitted. "My left front tyre was pretty worn so I went a bit wide at the chicane and spun, which is very, very rare.
"Then after that I honestly have to apologise to Paul di Resta. I didn't see him. I had absolutely no clue. I don't know what happened but I got a penalty for something, which is to be expected, I guess, sometimes. So I apologise to him."
His McLaren team-mate Button went on to win the race in his 200th GP.
"Congratulations to Jenson, he was pushing me hard the whole race and the better man won today," he said.
"I think we can definitely say the team have done a fantastic job. For us to both be the most competitive this weekend I think is a fantastic way to go into the break.
"Of course we would have loved a one-two. I feel like I let the team down a little bit. But we'll bounce back at the next race."
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