Lewis Hamilton thinks Mercedes has finally cracked something with their Formula 1 qualifying struggles. After facing a challenging season, Hamilton’s recent performance at the Spanish Grand Prix gives him hope.
The seven-time champion has been searching for answers throughout the year, particularly why Mercedes’ pace dwindles in qualifying despite promising practice sessions. Hamilton’s W15 car has been particularly troublesome, feeling nervous and difficult to handle during crucial moments.
Hamilton’s Hopeful Breakthrough
Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes has finally cracked something with their Formula 1 qualifying struggles. After facing a challenging season, Hamilton’s recent performance at the Spanish Grand Prix gives him hope.
The seven-time champion has been searching for answers throughout the year, particularly why Mercedes’ pace dwindles in qualifying despite promising practice sessions. Hamilton’s W15 car has been particularly troublesome, feeling nervous and difficult to handle during crucial moments.
Tyres: The Heart of the Issue
Hamilton suspects that the core issue lies with the tyres. He expressed optimism after qualifying third in Spain, hinting that extensive analysis and information from the team have zeroed in on the problem.
“There has been a huge amount of analysis, and requests of a lot of information from the team, on how we can improve where we are lacking,” he said ahead of the Austrian GP. “It is simply with tyres, and so just continuing to improve on our processes from session to session.“
Hamilton believes tyre preparation and management during qualifying laps are essential areas that need attention. “The car aerodynamically, is more on a knife edge,” he said.
Aero Balance Challenges
One of the significant hurdles for Mercedes has been the aero balance of the current generation of cars. Finding the right configuration between mechanical and aerodynamic balance is tricky, especially during transitions from high to low-speed.
“It’s not as easy to balance with the mechanical side and the aero balance from high to low speed. Getting that configuration is difficult,” Hamilton explained.
He pointed out the struggles that teams like Ferrari faced, such as missing out on Q2 in Montreal despite having a fast car. “It just shows that it’s easy to not have the tyres working. It’s easy to overwork the tyres,” he added.
A Fun Race in Spain
Coming off his first race podium of the season in Spain, Hamilton reflected on the much-needed positive result. He relished the close battles on the track and the opportunity to perform challenging overtakes.
“It feels good to have races like that,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t get to have a race like that where you get to get your elbows out and have some really fun and challenging overtakes.
Barcelona has always been a favorable track for Hamilton. He mentioned, “Barcelona always puts up a good race and it’s been a strong one for me for many years. We all need good days like that in our lives.”
Looking Forward to Austria
As Hamilton gears up for the Austrian Grand Prix, he expressed cautious optimism. He believes that the team has made significant progress in understanding and addressing their qualifying issues.
“Typically, once we get to qualifying, things do change a little bit. The car is obviously lighter, you are in the DRS a lot more. Time will tell. But I think we cracked something. Now to try and build on it,” he shared.
Hamilton and the Mercedes team are now focused on building on their recent findings and translating them into consistent qualifying performances. They hope that the upcoming races will prove their progress.
Challenges with Temperature
Temperature management of the tyres has also been a critical factor in Mercedes’ qualifying performance. Hamilton noted how sensitive the tyres have become in recent seasons.
He discussed how tyre temperature was a likely reason behind Ferrari’s struggles in Montreal, emphasizing, “They’re definitely more sensitive, I think, than any other season that I remember being in.”
The Aerodynamic Knife Edge
Hamilton vividly described the current generation of F1 cars as being on a knife edge aerodynamically. This delicate balance makes it difficult to find the optimal setup for both high-speed and low-speed sections of the track.
He said, “Getting that configuration is difficult. But tyre temp and also then how you do your out laps is key, which every single team is trying to sort.”
The team’s understanding of these aerodynamic challenges and their meticulous efforts in managing tyre temperatures are crucial steps toward consistent qualifying success.
The Road Ahead
With the optimism gained from recent performances, Hamilton and the Mercedes team are eager to keep pushing forward. The progress at the Spanish Grand Prix has rekindled hope and determination within the team.
Hamilton is confident that the insights gained from their analysis will pave the way for better performance in the remaining races of the season.
The journey ahead is filled with challenges, but Hamilton’s positive outlook and the team’s relentless pursuit of excellence suggest that better days are on the horizon for Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton’s optimism for Mercedes’ performance shines through recent developments. By focusing on tyre management and aerodynamic balance, significant strides have been made.
The journey ahead promises challenges but also the potential for triumphant moments. With Hamilton’s determination and the team’s strategic insights, the future looks promising for the iconic racing team.
Source: Motorsport
