Lewis Hamilton believes that Mercedes will have a more successful performance in the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix compared to previous seasons under the current Formula 1 regulations. Despite not reaching the podium at the venue since 2019 due to the challenges presented by the ground effect cars, Hamilton, a three-time winner in Monte Carlo, remains optimistic. Mercedes, which has dropped to fourth place in the championship this season, has found encouragement in recent updates and believes it has found a clear direction. Although there are no new developments planned for this weekend, Hamilton hopes that the Mercedes W15 will perform better in Monaco than its predecessors.
Monaco is considered an anomaly in the calendar, where a driver can compensate for a vehicle’s deficiencies to a greater extent than on traditional tracks elsewhere.
Hamilton emphasized the importance of establishing a rhythm from the practices and reaffirmed his belief that Mercedes should have a stronger foundation to build on this time.
«I mean, we are using simulation tools and determining the level of grip on the surface, its roughness, the ideal position of the car, the balance between high and low speeds, the mechanical balance, weight distribution, downforce, and drag, among countless other factors,» he explained. «There are countless elements that come into play on this journey.
«You can train on the simulator, but it’s only when you get to the actual track that you encounter possible issues.
«But yes, ideally, you start off strong and never look back. However, that has not been the case in recent years.
«But as I said, I have more confidence going into this weekend.
«This car is much more predictable and enjoyable to drive. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s progressing in the right direction.»
Sin embargo, con Mercedes todavía enfrentando dificultades para encontrar un equilibrio entre curvas de alta y baja velocidad, Hamilton admitió que no hay garantía de que el equipo sea competitivo.
Cuando se sugirió que el coche de 2024 de Mercedes tiende a desempeñarse mejor en secciones de baja velocidad, Hamilton respondió: «Una vez más, esa no es realmente la situación. Si miras Suzuka, fuimos muy lentos en baja velocidad, y si miras Jeddah, fuimos rápidos en baja velocidad, pero terribles en alta velocidad.
«Así que cuando me atreva a salir allí mañana, creo que deberíamos estar un poco mejor aquí. Creo que la ventana de rendimiento del coche entre alta y baja velocidad está comenzando a abrirse, así que realmente espero que hayamos encontrado un punto óptimo y podamos estar un poco más cerca.
«De hecho, en la clasificación del año pasado, no estábamos tan lejos incluso teniendo un coche mucho peor. Espero que eso hable mucho para este fin de semana.»
