There is a lot of discussion surrounding the new front wing that Mercedes introduced as part of their upgrade package for the W15. This upgrade seemed to unlock the potential that had been exaggerated, but Hamilton emphasized the importance of managing the tires in the team’s turnaround.
During last weekend’s Spanish GP, Hamilton qualified in third place, which was a positive step for Mercedes. In previous races this year, the team showed good pace in practice, only to fade away during qualifying.
During a media session in Spielberg on Thursday, Hamilton explained that the team had conducted extensive analysis and sought input on how to improve their performance. He stated that the key area for improvement was with the tires, and the team was focused on enhancing their processes from one session to the next. Hamilton acknowledged that things changed during qualifying, with the car becoming lighter and using more DRS.
Hamilton expressed confidence that the team had made progress, but recognized the challenges presented by the current Formula 1 cars with ground effect. He highlighted the difficulty of achieving the right balance between the mechanical and aerodynamic aspects of the car, especially at different speeds. Tire temperature and out-laps were identified as crucial factors, with all teams striving to find the ideal solution. Hamilton cited the example of Ferrari’s difficulties in Montreal, where they failed to advance beyond Q2, attributing it to tire temperature issues.
According to Hamilton, the tires this season are more sensitive than any he has experienced before. In conclusion, Hamilton remains optimistic about the team’s performance and aims to build on the progress they have made.
After his third place finish in Spain, Hamilton is now preparing for the Austrian GP. This comes after a race that exposed the mistakes made by Mercedes since 2022, leading the team’s technical chief to question their decisions.
(Reported by Agnes Carlier from Spielberg)
