Lewis Hamilton stated that the Mercedes W15 was lacking speed during long runs, despite a positive performance on Friday. Hamilton had a successful Friday on the racetrack, leading the time charts in the first practice session. In the second session, he finished in second place, with his teammate closely following in third. Hamilton described his experience during practice as enjoyable.
The seven-time world champion expressed satisfaction with the car’s performance. However, he voiced concerns about the car’s ability to perform well on long runs. He believes additional modifications are needed for the team to have a strong race performance.
Following the practice session at the Monaco GP, it was noted that the W15’s pace during long runs was lacking. However, the team acknowledged that the car performed well on single laps. This situation forced the team to make a compromise between focusing on qualifying or the race.
The team’s priority is to ensure they can complete the race in Monaco. Pushing too hard during qualifying could negatively impact the tires and affect the car’s performance during the race. The team noticed a drop in performance from the front tires after the sixth lap during practice.
Although qualifying may be compromised, the team is determined to have a competitive car for the race. They will work overnight to make the necessary modifications and improve the car’s drivability for Sunday. Toto Wolff, team principal, is confident in the team’s direction for the weekend.
