Formula One ( F1 )

The more I think about it the more I think Mercedes bottled it to an extent. There was every chance there would a full s/c at some point after the first VCS. They chose to keep track position by not pitting when they had the opportunity, so they were always going to be massively vulnerable if there was a late SC.

But at 12 seconds clear of RB then if Merc pitted then RB would have stayed out and got track position.
RB had the luxury of essentially a free pitstop. If they put on fresh tyres and there was no SC then they finish 2nd, which is where they'd have finished with old tyres too.
If they don't put on new tyres then they probably finish 2nd regardless of whether there's a SC.
They could react to Mercedes, but Merc couldn't do the same (which is fine)

Seemed Mercedes and RB both made the sensible call in staying out and changing tyres respectively.

Never been a Lewis fan, but definitely seems robbed today.