The Mercedes team has been enduring a rough patch after the summer break. Besides a small dominating period before the break, the Silver Arrows have been clueless about their technical woes. Whether it’s the balance or the floor, the team has yet to find a solution. As a result, the squad is struggling to deliver impactful performances.
The Singapore GP saw a similar storyboard, as both the Mercedes racers had a mixed weekend. While George Russell was able to protect the fourth spot from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton had to settle for P6. Apart from the humid Marina Bay circuit, a self-sabotaging strategy from the German Marque barred Hamilton from a top spot. The Mercedes chief has revealed the real reason behind the teams’ surprising tactics.
Toto Wolff Explains Why Lewis Hamilton Started On Soft Tyres
Toto Wolff reflected on Mercedes’ strategy during the race, explaining how past experiences at the circuit had shaped their decisions. With track position being vital, the team opted for soft tires on Lewis Hamilton’s car to gain an early advantage. However, this move backfired as managing the rear surfaces became a challenge, causing the team to lose ground. Contrary to previous races at the venue, overtaking proved possible, and Wolff admitted that starting Hamilton on medium tires might have been a better choice.
According to Wolff, the bigger issue was the W15’s poor race pace. He noted that the car struggles on hot tracks that demand strong traction, such as Baku and the current venue. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that there are no excuses, and the team must find ways to improve its performance.
Post-race, neither Hamilton nor his teammate spoke to the media, with Mercedes citing the need for time to recover from the physically demanding race. Later, in a team statement, Hamilton expressed his frustration over the difficult race and the strategy misstep in a team statement. He acknowledged that the 2023 season has been challenging but emphasized that the team is united in their efforts, even when things don’t go as planned.
Mercedes Duo Suffer A Borderline Heatstroke
After an exhausting 62-lap race at the sweltering Singapore Grand Prix, Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were forced to withdraw from their post-race media duties. The team revealed that both drivers were suffering from “borderline heatstroke.”
The Singapore GP is notorious for being one of the most physically demanding races, with drivers navigating 19 challenging corners in extreme heat and humidity. This year’s race was particularly tough, as the track temperature hit 37°C, and for the first time, there was no safety car deployment to offer any relief. Both Hamilton and Russell, who finished fourth, were reported to be unwell after crossing the finish line, requiring medical attention.
Team principal Toto Wolff explained that the drivers could not complete media interviews due to their condition but reassured everyone that medical staff were present to ensure their recovery. Despite the incident, Wolff emphasized that the team had no negative feelings about the situation, and both drivers were in good spirits after receiving treatment.