Hamilton struggled behind Verstappen: "They got overheated behind Max"

Lewis Hamilton had a bad start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Brit got away badly and had to let Max Verstappen pass immediately. Pierre Gasly also got off to a better start, but Hamilton was able to keep him just behind.

"I don't know what exactly happened at the start," Hamilton said at the press conference. "Just not a good grip." Hamilton couldn't keep up with teammate Valtteri Bottas or defend against the attack from Verstappen.

"I have to look back, but it just didn't feel very fast and I was clearly losing ground to both Valtteri and Max. With hindsight, I could have done things differently. Now I know that, but that's for next time," the Mercedes driver continued.

After the race at Paddock Pass, Hamilton continues this story: "I couldn't overtake Max and struggled with the tyres as they overheated behind Max."

Hamilton had to change his strategy to fight for first place, which is why he went in so much later than Bottas and Verstappen.