The Mercedes team is back on track, and they have done it by clinching back-to-back silverware. The Silver Arrows have been struggling since 2022, but the engineers at Brixworth and Brackley have finally fixed the underlying issue. As a result, the W15 seems like a flawless racing machine that gets better every weekend.
Thus, Lewis Hamilton was able to march past Lando Norris and Max Verstappen to win the home GP. However, his teammate George Russell, who claimed the pole on Saturday, had an unfortunate end to the race. A technical failure shattered his dream of winning in front of the home fans, leaving the 26-year-old Briton disheartened.
The Breakdown Of George Russell’s Abrupt Ending On Lap 34
The Mercedes team was in full flow after ending the curse of a ‘race win’ in Austria. The Silver Arrow’s driver, George Russell, clinched the Austrian GP, ending a drought of over two years. Moreover, he was the favorite to replicate the victory in Silverstone, as the momentum was with the team. However, Russell had to retire on lap 34th due to a technical fault. Although Russell started the race from the pole and tried to get the lead till the halfway mark, wet conditions halted his winning run. As the weather started impacting the race, Lando Norris outpaced the Mercedes duo during the intermediate pit stop. However, a shocking message from the pit crew left Russell disheartened. On lap 34, he was asked to retire due to a water system issue.
The Briton reflected on the issue during the post-race interview with Sky Sports. He confirmed the problem started ten laps before the 34th lap, as his alarm was indicating a cooling system failure. The downbeat Mercedes driver expressed his disappointment, as everything was under control during the dry conditions. However, the downpour shifted the paradigm, and he had to retire despite having a great car. Notably, during a water system failure, the water supply to the engine is cut down, and it starts overheating. Thus, the team had to take a brave call to return the car to the pit. It’s never an easy decision, as teh racers are eager to fight it out till the last lap. Therefore, Russell was frustrated with an unfortunate outcome. However, this also highlights the unpredictability of F1; while a DNF helped Russell win the Austrian GP, it shattered his dream at Silverstone.
Wolff: Hamilton Overcame’ Negative Thoughts’ to Lift the F1 Trophy
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes chief and a longtime friend of Lewis Hamilton, lauded the Briton’s mental strength. He explained how the 39-year-old iconic driver fought the negative thoughts to overcome the adversities.
The seven-time world champion was amid a never-ending slump, which cast doubt on his F1 career. Further, the experts criticized him heavily for letting his team down. This victory was significant for Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton, as everything finally came together.