BREAKING NEWS:Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team recently revealed critical GPS data from Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying lap READ MORE…
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team recently revealed critical GPS data from Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying lap at
racelight on the frustrations the seven-time World Champion expressed after the session. Hamilton, who started the from P6, was visibly upset, declaring he
was “furious” as he felt he had the potential to secure pole position.
According to Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, Hamilton’s data showed that he was extremely close to challenging for the top spot on the grid. The GPS data indicated that Hamilton was within half a tenth of Lando Norris, who secured pole, as they approached the final corner of the Monza circuit. However, Hamilton’s entry into this critical corner did not go as planned, causing him to lose valuable time and ultimately costing him a front-row start.
This revelation highlights the intense competition in the 2024 Formula 1 season, where the margin between success and disappointment can be razor-thin. Shovlin noted that the fight for top grid positions now extends well into the lower ranks, with many cars separated by just fractions of a second. This tight competition leaves no room for error, as evidenced by Hamilton’s slip in the final corner, which saw him drop down to P6 despite showing promising pace earlier in the qualifying rounds.
Shovlin also pointed out that a similar scenario played out with Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, who managed to secure P3 on the grid. Russell was slightly more successful in navigating the final corner, underscoring how critical that part of the lap was for determining the starting positions.
Although Hamilton managed to recover to a P5 finish in the race, his disappointment in qualifying underscores the high standards he sets for himself and the team. The data provided by Mercedes not only explains Hamilton’s frustrations but also illustrates the incredibly fine margins that define the outcomes in Formula 1