Mercedes has been consistently off-pace in the ongoing F1 season. The struggle, which dates back to 2022, is still visible. The irregular upgrade packages and naivety about aerodynamics have hampered their F1 run. From being a dominant force to barely making the cut, the Silver Arrows have come a long way down the hill. Although the technical team led by James Allison has made numerous attempts to counter the issues, it remains as it is.
While the Three-Pointed Star portrayed a sign of resurgence in colder track conditions, it has lost the path in warm and humid conditions. The W15 is a sensitive vehicle, and even the slightest niggle could sway its balance. This has been the story since the summer break, as the lackluster W15 has made things hard for the team. It was a similar narrative on a warm track of Sao Paulo, as Lewis Hamilton could not enter the top 10 during the Spring qualifying.
“Pretty Bad” Lewis Hamilton Fails To Enter Top 10 In Sprint Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton summarized his qualifying session as a challenging experience, noting that it was consistent with the difficulties he’s faced recently. He admitted he lacked confidence in the car, making it difficult to push the vehicle to its potential. Reflecting on the first practice session, Hamilton compared the car’s performance to Baku in 2022, describing how it was so low to the ground that it hit the track harshly, especially down the straights. Although adjustments were made to lift the car slightly, reducing the extreme impact, it still proved tough to handle, with notable instability and bouncing through the corners.
Acknowledging the car’s erratic behavior on the track, Hamilton appeared resigned to the situation, expressing a sense of indifference toward the weekend’s outcome. Despite the setbacks, he acknowledged the team still had two opportunities to score points. Hamilton conveyed a hopeful, albeit cautious, outlook for the Sprint and the next qualifying session, planning to make further adjustments to the car in hopes of better results.
George Russell Reflects On His Positive Outing
George Russell took a more optimistic approach, noting that the bumpy track conditions were a shared challenge for everyone throughout Friday’s sessions. The changing weather, shifting from sunny to overcast and windy, added complexity, affecting the cars’ performance and grip on the track. Russell explained that the session grew increasingly difficult as the temperatures dropped, but he remained level-headed about the team’s positioning, landing in P6—a spot he feels reflects where Mercedes stands in the current lineup.
Looking ahead, Russell expressed his enthusiasm, explaining that although the team is at the back of the lead pack, they seem to have a competitive edge over the following group. He sees the pace gap to the drivers ahead as an opportunity to push forward. Russell also shared his enjoyment of Sprint weekends, appreciating the immediate, action-packed schedule that kicks off with competitive sessions on Friday. For him, the format brings a refreshing excitement and keeps the momentum high.