Lewis Hamilton has taken responsibility for his frustrated radio messages and television comments during the Dutch Grand Prix, admitting that “that wasn’t the best version of me” as he was held up behind team-mate Charles Leclerc in Zandvoort.

The seven-time world champion sounded irate in a series of on-track messages when he was being held up by Leclerc, who seemed reluctant to let his team-mate through despite the pair being on different strategies. Hamilton was hot on the tail of the other Scuderia car by Lap 43 and believed that he had more pace, but Leclerc opted against a call to pit before diving in one lap later to release him.

“Great waste of time there, guys,” Hamilton sarcastically radioed, and he also grumbled later when asking whether he would be used as a “guinea pig” under a Virtual Safety Car. He went on to cross the line in fourth, chasing George Russell for the final podium spot until the chequered flag.

Hamilton doubled down on his criticism after the race, drawing unfavourable comparisons with how Mercedes had decisively ordered Russell to let Antonelli past in the closing laps. “Yeah, I want to win,” he said. “I’m here to win, and it is difficult when you are looking ahead and you see the two Mercedes drivers, they get the call and it’s done and they execute straight away. That’s a little difficult. We’ll take it offline and when I go back now I’ll speak to them about it.”

Hamilton apologises

In an Instagram post on Sunday, however, Hamilton wavered. “I’ve listened back to some of my radio and TV comments. In the heat of the moment frustration can come out, especially when you care as deeply as I do. But that wasn’t the best version of me. I take responsibility for that, and I’ll be better.”

Despite the race representing a third successive Grand Prix without a podium for Hamilton, the 41-year-old insisted his belief in the team remained. “That passion comes from believing in this team, the people in it, and what we’re building together. The direction is clear. The belief is there. And the fight is absolutely still on.”

Hamilton praised Ferrari’s impressive development drive, which saw the team bring a new floor and diffuser to Zandvoort. “I hope everyone back at the factory who continues to bring updates, find performance and push us forward… We still have work to do, particularly over one lap, but we’ll keep digging in, learning and improving together.”

His former team-mate Nico Rosberg urged Ferrari to improve their execution, believing they have the potential for “much better overall results.” Rosberg said: “Ferrari have been top five all the time but there’s a little bit of the feeling after every headpool — has been ‘what could have been’. They keep on just not maximising weekends and that’s how both charge seems a bit frustrated. So they’ve got to improve that and score everything because they can really, just with that, get nailing it.”