Short Description
Mercedes F1 Team’s struggles in the 2024 season highlighted Lewis Hamilton’s difficulties with qualifying, revealing intricate issues with car handling and driving style compared to teammate George Russell.
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3 minutes 30 seconds
Main Article
The 2024 Formula 1 season proved to be a challenging chapter for Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes F1 Team as they grappled with car performance issues that severely affected Hamilton’s qualifying results. Over the course of the 24-race season, including six sprint events, Hamilton outqualified Russell only six times. This lack of consistency was particularly evident when it came to extracting peak performance during qualifying runs, a critical aspect of F1 racing where seconds matter the most.
According to Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ head of trackside engineering, Hamilton’s difficulties were primarily attributed to the car’s sensitivity to brake locking and oversteer. These issues left Hamilton struggling to find the right balance necessary for a competitive qualifying position. As Shovlin noted, not only did the W15 lack the requisite speed, but it also presented a narrow set-up window that made it challenging for Hamilton to achieve the ideal driving performance. As a result, this led to Hamilton starting well behind his teammate, often impacting his racing strategies on Sundays.
Moreover, Shovlin underscored the importance of maintaining rear tire temperature. Hamilton’s traditional driving style, which often involves aggressive throttle management, unfortunately caused overheating issues that hampered his lap times. While George Russell managed to adapt effectively, resulting in consistently better qualifying performances, Hamilton’s attempts to adjust didn’t yield comparable results. The competitive nature of the current F1 grid heightened the consequences of these difficulties, as even marginal time differences often translated into significant place drops when qualifying.
The season did highlight Hamilton’s adaptability and race pace, particularly at circuits where he felt comfortable with the car’s configuration, as demonstrated in Las Vegas. The challenge going forward for Mercedes will be refining the W15 to better suit Hamilton’s driving style to allow him to compete at the level expectations dictate.
Short Summary
In the 2024 season, Mercedes F1 Team faced significant challenges, impacting Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying performance due to the car’s sensitivity and set-up limitations. As Hamilton navigates these hurdles, the team aims to enhance the W15 for improved compatibility with his driving style. The ongoing evolution of the car will be crucial for reclaiming Hamilton’s edge in forthcoming races.
