The confident Mercedes squad is hopeful for another victory in a low-drag circuit. The team is on a winning chariot, securing consecutive podiums. While the success has come after a string of struggles and misery, the Siler Arrows would like to keep it this way. Thus, they introduced a mega upgrade ahead of the Belgian GP. With five updated components, the team was hoping for a solid start.
However, the tricky Spa circuit baffled the eight-time Constructors World Champions. Mercedes could not finish among the top spots during the Friday practice sessions. Moreover, the W15 behaved weirdly on the surface. Thus, the technical crew would make specific changes ahead of the qualifications.
Lewis HamiltonExplains The Reason For ‘Weird Behaviour’ Of W15 During the FP Sessions
Belgium’s low drag track has confused the Mercedes squad. With rain expected on Sunday, the Brackley-based team hopes for wet conditions to tilt the balancer. After the practice sessions, Lewis Hamilton expressed uncertainty and frustration about his car’s performance. He pointed out a significant difference in handling compared to recent races. Despite feeling positive in previous sessions, Hamilton found that the car’s setup was less effective in the latest practice. While the first session had been disappointing, changes made for the second session offered some improvement, though he still struggled with balance issues. Ultimately, he ended up 1.2 seconds behind the leaders, which he found unsatisfactory.
Looking ahead to the weather conditions in Belgium, Hamilton noted that rain is forecasted for Saturday’s qualifying, but the race is expected to be dry. He expressed optimism that Mercedes might perform better if the rain materializes, recalling that his best results this season came in wet conditions. Despite qualifying second in a wet session in China and securing his only win under changeable conditions this year, Hamilton acknowledged that the team’s current dry setup might not be competitive. However, he remains hopeful that the car’s performance could improve with overnight adjustments and potential rain.
George Russell Acknowledges The W15 Issue
George Russell acknowledged that McLaren and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull appeared to be ahead of Mercedes in terms of performance. He emphasized the need for thorough data analysis and additional work in the simulator at their Brackley base to find improvements and close the gap. Russell expressed confidence that the team could make progress.
Looking ahead, Russell noted that the upcoming day could be pretty different, particularly with the forecast predicting rain. He pointed out that while Mercedes often starts strong on Fridays, other teams tend to catch up by Saturday. Russell remains hopeful that Mercedes will make significant gains this weekend.
