The Mercedes’ best performance in 2024 was quickly followed by confessions from both their Formula 1 drivers that they did not perform well. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured third and fourth place, respectively, at the Canadian Grand Prix. Russell started from pole position, led at the beginning, and remained in the front group throughout the race. Hamilton, on the other hand, had a challenging qualifying session and started in seventh place. Despite this setback, he showed patience and impressive pace, almost securing a podium finish ahead of Russell. It was a race that presented difficulties due to mixed conditions, making it hard to criticize the drivers’ performance. However, both Russell and Hamilton expressed disappointment, feeling they missed the opportunity to achieve better results compared to their usual performance in 2024.
Russell’s pole position gave him the best chance for success, but he seemed to push his intermediates too hard at the start. This resulted in him losing a crucial position to Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Although a safety car period allowed Russell to regain his position ahead of Norris, he made a mistake later on that caused him to drop back behind the McLaren driver. Additionally, Russell had a collision with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, causing him to fall to fifth place. Understandably, he admitted that his multiple errors at crucial moments cost him the chance of victory.
Hamilton’s race was undoubtedly better than Russell’s, but he was even more critical of his own performance, labeling it as “one of the worst races I’ve ever driven.” Although this may have been an exaggeration, it was clear that neither driver maximized their potential in this grand prix.
Both drivers acknowledged that the Mercedes car had the capability to win, although team boss Toto Wolff played down their chances. However, Wolff defended his drivers, emphasizing that finishing in third and fourth place was an improvement compared to previous races. He believed that the negative feeling towards their performance stemmed from missed opportunities to secure a higher position. However, he acknowledged that if they had been offered third and fourth place before the weekend, they would have gladly accepted.
This highlights the main issue at hand. When presented with an opportunity, the Hamilton/Russell duo must maximize their performance. They are widely considered the best teammate duo in Formula 1, but it was evident that they left something on the table during the race where Mercedes had their best chance of the year.
Mercedes has been making significant progress recently, and although there may have been specific circumstances in this particular race, such as the track layout, weather conditions, and grip levels, there is a growing belief that the team is finally understanding the rules. This requires their drivers to hone their skills. Russell’s qualifying performance has been stronger than Hamilton’s lately, but it shouldn’t have taken a radio message from Wolff during the race reminding him to “focus” after a mistake. Russell’s speed is undeniable, but he needs to refine his judgment on tire management and minimize unforced errors. Hamilton, on the other hand, remains a formidable threat on race day, possibly even faster than Russell. However, starting further back on the grid often hinders him, leading to difficulties in overtaking slower cars or adopting a different race strategy.
Hamilton’s recent struggles in transitioning between practice and qualifying have received a lot of attention. In Montreal, he simply didn’t feel as comfortable in the car and didn’t have the margin for error he had enjoyed previously. Although he had the pace to do better, he made small errors in his two laps in Q3. His consistently later braking points compared to Russell and the subsequent time loss on corner exits indicated that he was pushing the car too hard on entry.
What was crucial in Canada was Hamilton’s responsibility after the race. Previously, his comments in Monaco suggested that he believed something was wrong with his qualifying form compared to Russell’s, leading to speculations that Russell was being favored. However, in Canada, Hamilton accepted responsibility for his disappointing position on the grid, acknowledging the impact it had on a race with significant opportunities. He recognized his poor performance and expressed willingness to reassess his approach.
According to Hamilton, he needs to “get his head in the right place” to achieve better results. Taking responsibility for his qualifying results is a step towards that goal, as assuming he cannot beat Russell on Saturdays or entertaining the idea that there is an underlying issue hindering him will only hinder his progress.
The positive aspect for Hamilton is that the Mercedes car is becoming increasingly competitive. The pace is there to match or surpass Russell’s performance in qualifying, and Hamilton’s performances on Sundays continue to be strong. Similarly, Russell must acknowledge that he has the speed to position himself favorably in races; he simply needs to execute his strategies more consistently and cleanly. These two exceptional drivers have patiently waited for Mercedes to produce a better car under the current rules. If the team is finally meeting that expectation, they should be prepared to seize the opportunity.
© 2024
The world of sports is full of emotions and surprising events. And today is no different! In this article, we bring you the latest news and highlights from the sports world. Get ready to stay informed about everything that’s happening!
In soccer, Real Madrid’s team achieved another incredible victory. With impeccable performance, the players showed all their talent on the field and secured three more points for the team. With this result, Real Madrid is getting closer to winning the season title.
In basketball, player LeBron James continues to shine on the courts. With spectacular plays and inspiring leadership, LeBron has been essential to his team’s success. Fans are excited about his performance and eager to see what else he will achieve.
Furthermore, in the world of motorsport, we had another thrilling race. The drivers showed all their skill and courage as they faced challenges on the tracks. The competition was fierce and spectators were glued to every turn and overtaking maneuver.
In the world of sports, there is never a shortage of excitement and surprises. Stay tuned for more news and updates on what’s happening in the major sporting events. Don’t miss any detail and always stay informed about everything that is happening in the world of sports!
© 2024
