Mercedes has endured an underwhelming season thus far. The team has been in a puddle of low performance since 2022. As a result, the Brackley headquarters have been waiting ever since to update their trophy cabinet. However, a shimmer of hope emerged when Lewis Hamilton had an encouraging outing at the Monaco practice session.
After failing to finish in the top five throughout the season, the seven-time world champion had a fantastic FP1 and FP2. Moreover, Mercedes’s comeback has added more flair to the competition. In contrast, Max Verstappen and Red Bull had a disappointing run, forcing them to reassess their strategy.
‘Need To Work On Long Run Overnight,’- Hamilton
The Mercedes squad has been under the radar for its string of below-par performances. Further, the team has been struggling since the introduction of the ground effect. The engineers at Brackley have failed to make an impact with the W15 project. Moreover, the F1 car lacks pace while grappling with major underlying issues. In 2024, the best performance was a fifth-place finish, which is a striking contrast with the 2019 glory days. However, as Formula 1 reached Monaco, the Silver Arrows might have hit the jackpot. The first two practice sessions relieved the team as Lewis Hamilton clocked the fastest time in FP1. At the same time, he finished second during the FP2, just 0.188 seconds behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
After the Friday session, the Briton was delighted with the outcome. He hailed the season as the ‘best day’ for the team. Further, Hamilton discussed the positives of W15, as it felt amazing on the track. However, there were a few balancing issues, which were compensated for by the firm grip. Conjointly, Hamilton won the Monaco Grand Prix thrice but has failed to stand on the Monte Carlo podium since 2019. However, he exclaimed his surprise at the W15 car’s performance, as it was ‘enjoyable on the road circuit. Ultimately, he said the ‘long run’ performance is still in doubt, as the team needs to improve ahead of the qualification. Notably, Saturday’s qualifying session is crucial, as securing pole position could determine the winner. The Monte Carlo road circuit offers little opportunity for overtaking, making qualifications extremely important. Henceforth, Hamilton had to carry this performance to the Saturday race while facing the challenge of Ferrari, Mclaren, and the mighty Red Bull.
Max Verstappen’s Verdict On Red Bull After Disheartening Friday Practice
Similar to Imola GP, Red Bull struggled during the Friday practice. Although Max Verstappen finished fourth fastest, he issued a damning verdict after the session. The three-time world champion declared that Red Bull had ‘no clear direction or solution.’
Verstappen and Perez, the RBR drivers, finished fourth and eighth during FP2, as RB20 failed to sail through the kerbs and bumps. The Dutchman’s radio was filled with frustration, as he was bouncing like a ‘kangaroo’ having a ‘headache’ during the session. Thus, the technical team again finds itself on the firing line ahead of the Saturday qualifying.
