Lewis Hamilton, the British driver from Mercedes AMG, left the pits in his F1 car during the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Despite rumors suggesting that Hamilton’s difficulties in qualifying are due to unequal treatment, Mercedes vehemently denies these allegations, stating that they are false and unfair. Although Hamilton has shown competitive form during practice sessions, he has struggled to replicate that speed during crucial qualifying sessions. In Monaco, for example, Hamilton consistently performed well in practice but qualified in seventh place, behind his teammate George Russell. Hamilton’s unexpected drop led him to express doubts about his ability to outperform Russell in low fuel conditions for the rest of the season. These concerns only intensified in Canada, where Hamilton fell from first place in the third practice session to seventh place in qualifying, while Russell secured pole position. However, Mercedes Technical Director James Allison insists that it would be absurd to suggest that the team is intentionally hindering Hamilton’s chances. Allison points to statistics, which show that Hamilton has had a significant number of pole positions compared to Russell, indicating that there is no systematic disadvantage for Hamilton on qualifying day. He emphasizes that the cars are identical, with the same engine usage, and any differences in configuration are due to the engineering team’s preferences on each side of the pit. Additionally, Allison reveals that there was a situation this year, especially in Monaco, where the team had to choose between Hamilton and Russell for a different front wing. In that situation, Hamilton selflessly decided to let Russell have the wing.
Allison believes that Hamilton’s inability to replicate his strong performance in practice during qualifying is due to his driving style not being compatible with the current tires. The British engineer also believes that the recent improvements made by the German team will allow for a more meaningful comparison between their drivers compared to the beginning of the season.
“I didn’t expect the score to be 8-1,” admitted Allison. “For a significant part of the year, the car has been quite problematic. However, it has improved a lot in the last few races. With this improvement, I believe that the comparisons between the drivers will have more meaning, as the car is now less unpredictable.”
“Lewis has always been the best qualifier in the history of the sport, and I believe it’s because he has been the best overall driver. However, this year he is struggling to maintain that position due to small margins,” explained Allison.
“I was speculating in an email I sent to the team yesterday that the current combination of car and tires, not just for us but for all teams, doesn’t respond well to aggressive driving. It seems that the best lap times are achieved when the drivers are not pushing too hard.”
“Every weekend, we see a car surprisingly perform well in practice or qualifying, only to fade away afterwards. It’s quite challenging in qualifying, when the drivers are excited and seeking the best lap, to find the right balance that allows the car to reach its peak performance.”
Despite Hamilton’s difficulties in qualifying, Allison praised Russell for consistently extracting the maximum performance from the car in a single lap.
“Russell has been very consistent in getting the best out of the car during qualifying sessions. He is really skilled in that aspect,” acknowledged Allison.
“In the races, however, it has been a more balanced competition, and Hamilton’s race pace has often been stronger compared to George. But in qualifying, George definitely had the advantage.”
© 2024
The world of sports is full of emotions and surprises, and this year was no different. From the beginning, athletes have provided us with incredible and historic moments. Now, it’s time to remember the highlights of the year.
In football, we had great competitions, such as the World Cup and the Champions League. Teams from all over the world faced each other in exciting matches, showing their skill and determination. And of course, we can’t forget the players who stood out, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
In basketball, the NBA treated us to thrilling games and spectacular performances. Fans cheered for the incredible plays of stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant. And we can’t forget to mention the Golden State Warriors, who won another title.
In tennis, we witnessed great duels on the courts. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played epic matches, showing their technique and determination. And of course, we can’t forget Serena Williams, who continues to be one of the greatest in the sport.
In addition, the year 2024 was also marked by unforgettable sports events, such as the Olympics and the Paralympics. Athletes from different countries came together to compete and show the world their talent. It was moments of overcoming and inspiration for all of us.
In conclusion, the world of sports provided us with many emotions this year. Here’s to more incredible moments in 2025!
