2021 - Race 22 Abu Dhabi

[ouvreur]

But then why would they let him start on the softs then?

The only way that would make sense is when their plan was to have perez pass Hamilton at the start and then keep him busy for 15 laps.

But that would be a very unlikely situation.

He had to - those were the tyres he qualified on.

As you say, there was little-to-no chance of him passing at the start. But planning to make him a hurdle after the first round of stops? That's pretty straightforward.