Big News Today: Lewis Hamilton explained why he does not like cars with a suction effect…..Read more
Lewis Hamilton’s Frustrations with the Suction Effect in Modern F1 Cars
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, finds himself facing new challenges with the current generation of single-seaters, which he believes hampers his ability to fully exploit his driving style. After a difficult qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, where his teammate George Russell was eliminated in Q1 and Hamilton managed only fifth place, the British driver expressed his frustration with the technical limitations imposed by the current car design and tire combination.
Hamilton has pointed out that the current generation of Formula 1 cars, characterized by a significant suction effect or ground effect, does not align with his preferred driving style. Unlike the cars of previous years, which allowed for late braking and deep corner entry, the current single-seaters require a different approach—one that Hamilton finds counterintuitive. “The car is even more on a knife’s edge than ever before,” Hamilton said, explaining that the new aerodynamic and mechanical characteristics force him to brake earlier, maintain speed through the corner, and avoid his natural inclination to attack corners in a V-shaped trajectory. “I hate that. It’s just not me. This is not my style of riding. I find it very frustrating.”
Adding to his frustration is the sensitivity of the Mercedes car to temperature changes. The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend highlighted this issue, as Hamilton and his team struggled to extract performance from the car as track temperatures fluctuated. While the cooler conditions during qualifying provided some respite, it was not enough to close the gap to front-runners McLaren and Red Bull. Hamilton lamented the car’s performance drop-off as temperatures rose, saying, “When the qualification started, it was much colder and we flew like lightning. As soon as the temperature started to rise, the others added, we slowed down again—or at least we didn’t speed up.”
The impact of even small temperature variations was evident during the qualifying session. At the start of Q1, the track temperature was 29.7°C, but it climbed to 31.5°C by the end of the session. This slight increase was enough to compromise the car’s balance, leaving Hamilton unable to challenge for a higher grid position.
The current situation is reminiscent of the struggles faced by another Formula 1 legend, Sebastian Vettel, during his transition from the dominant Red Bull RB9 to less competitive machinery. Vettel’s difficulty in adapting to the changing car dynamics resulted in a noticeable decline in performance, a fate that Hamilton seems keen to avoid. However, the Mercedes driver’s current predicament underscores the delicate balance between driver skill and car characteristics in the sport.
Hamilton’s frustration is shared by the Mercedes team, who have been working tirelessly to optimize the car’s performance. Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ head of trackside engineering, acknowledged that the car’s current setup does not suit Hamilton’s driving style. Despite their efforts to improve, the results have been slow to materialize, leaving the team disappointed with their performance in Hungary.
As the Formula 1 season progresses, Hamilton and Mercedes will need to find solutions to these challenges if they are to compete at the front of the grid consistently. The British driver’s ability to adapt to the car’s limitations and find a way to maximize its potential will be crucial in determining his success in the remaining races. For now, Hamilton remains determined to work through these difficulties, even if it means stepping outside his comfort zone.
In a sport where every millisecond counts, finding the right balance between car and driver is essential. For Lewis Hamilton, this balance remains elusive, but his resolve to overcome these obstacles is unwavering. As the season continues, all eyes will be on Mercedes to see if they can unlock the full potential of their car and give Hamilton the tools he needs to return to the top step of the podium.
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