Later, the issue was clarified by team leader, Toto Wolff, as an experimental setup that “unfortunately failed” and demonstrated a lack of understanding of their W15.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion visibly struggled with an unpredictable car, which caused him to go off track several times today. This included a trip through the gravel trap at Albert Park, resulting in damage to the underside of Mercedes #44. Hamilton communicated over the radio: “Something is wrong…”
So wrong that in FP2, Hamilton could only secure the 18th position (with only Kevin Magnussen of Haas being slower) and was significantly 1.5 seconds behind Charles Leclerc’s fastest time in the Ferrari.
Hamilton was also nearly a second behind teammate George Russell, who found a more favorable setup in the Mercedes W15, which seems to be the worst car produced by the former world champions since their return to Formula 1 in 2010.
According to Wolff, the reason for this is: “We tried an experiment, but we didn’t achieve the desired performance. In the second session, we made a significant change to Lewis’ setup and unfortunately, it had an adverse effect. However, that’s why we have these sessions.”
Regarding Russell’s performance on the day, Wolff added: “On the other hand, it was a little better [with Russell], but our overall performance is lacking. On a single lap, if he completes that lap, we are slightly better, but it wasn’t a good day overall.”
When asked about any frustration within the team, Wolff acknowledged: “If I said I’m not frustrated, it wouldn’t be true. Certainly, we’re frustrated because we’re trying different approaches, but we haven’t found the solution that will lead us in the right direction yet. However, we must continue to persevere.”
Wolff insisted: “We have seen impressive performances from this car before, and I refuse to believe that we are incapable of standing out under these regulations. We have all the necessary resources to overcome this challenge, and we will succeed.”
Hamilton summed up his Friday in Australia: “It wasn’t a great experience out there. We started the day positively, and in FP1, the car felt good overall. The first lap was actually the best the car has felt so far this year.
“To deepen our understanding, we made significant changes for FP2, but unfortunately, they made the car worse. It was a tough day, but there are some positives we can take from the first session. We will work hard overnight to make improvements for Saturday,” added the British driver.
Whether intentional or not, Hamilton identified the issue at Mercedes. The configuration changes made between FP1 and FP2, which were expected to bring improvements, ended up failing, as acknowledged by the team leader above.
This suggests that, just like in previous years, Mercedes engineers have no clue how to develop the W15 or even determine what makes it fast or slow. The trial and error approach during today’s sessions in Melbourne proved to be a futile exercise. They missed the mark completely, so forget hitting the target.
Mercedes trackside engineering leader Andrew Shovlin provided further evidence of his limited understanding of the W15. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in the first practice session, stating that the changes made to improve high-speed corners and reduce impact after the Saudi Arabia race were a positive step. Overall, the car looked quite promising.
However, the adjustments made for the second session at Albert Park had a negative impact on Hamilton’s performance. Shovlin admitted that they went down the wrong path with the changes in setup and unfortunately could not correct the situation during the session. George Russell also faced challenges in the windier conditions of FP2 compared to earlier in the day. Despite these setbacks, Shovlin acknowledged that there is still room for improvement and they need to work on the car overnight.
Although Aston Martin’s clients were faster than Mercedes, Russell surpassed Hamilton and finished in sixth place at the end of the day. Russell even acknowledged that they were pushing the limits and had some moments on the track. He believed that, without some minor damage to his front wing, he could have secured a higher position. The team is focused on better understanding the car and making the necessary changes to optimize its performance. Russell concluded by emphasizing the unpredictability of each day in the sport.
Now, Mercedes has the third practice session to address their issues before the qualifying session for the Australian GP on Saturday. They face a significant challenge and will need to make substantial improvements if Hamilton hopes to secure his ninth pole position at the iconic Melbourne circuit. (Reported by Agnes Carlier)
© 2024
The new football season is about to begin and fans are eager to see their favorite teams in action. With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting the world, many are wondering what this year’s championship will be like. Teams are preparing to face the challenges imposed by the current situation, and players are ready to give their best on the field.
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While we await the start of the season, players are intensively preparing in training sessions and friendly matches. They are focused on improving their skills and adapting to their coaches’ tactics. The competition will be fierce and each match will be a battle for victory.
Fans are excited to see the return of football and to follow every thrilling moment. Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, sports continue to unite people and bring joy to their lives. Here’s to the new football season and may it bring moments of excitement and celebration to all fans!
