Hamilton still missing ‘confidence’ in Mercedes car.....

Hamilton still missing ‘confidence’ in Mercedes car…..read more

Lewis Hamilton’s struggles with the Mercedes W15 continued during the sprint qualifying session at Interlagos, where the seven-time world champion failed to reach the top ten. The resurfacing of the Sao Paulo track did not alleviate Hamilton’s lack of confidence in his car, which has been a significant issue throughout the season.

During the sprint qualifying, Hamilton finished in P11, trailing behind his teammate George Russell, who secured a sixth-place starting position. Following the session, a visibly frustrated Hamilton expressed his disappointment to the media, noting, “Pretty bad, it’s the same as every qualifying for me. Not happy about it but I just don’t have any confidence in the car. A big struggle for me.” His comments reflect ongoing concerns about the performance and stability of the Mercedes W15, which has not provided the predictability necessary for the drivers to feel secure on the track.

The new surface at Interlagos has come under scrutiny from several drivers, and Hamilton was no exception. He acknowledged that the resurfacing had introduced new bumps that made the already challenging conditions even tougher. “The ride was pretty bad on the track for everyone,” he explained, emphasizing that the track’s poor resurfacing contributed to the difficulties experienced by all drivers.

Hamilton likened the straight-line ride during Practice 1 to the harsh conditions he faced in Baku in 2022, stating, “It was hitting so hard.” In response to the rough ride, the team made adjustments to the car’s setup to lift it higher off the ground, which resulted in a slight improvement in ride quality, reducing the hard impacts. However, he noted that the car remained difficult to handle, particularly in corners where it struggled with stability, saying, “The thing is hopping. The thing is very hard to drive.”

Looking ahead to the remainder of the weekend, Hamilton’s outlook was uncertain. He remarked, “It is what it is, it will be what it will be. I’m not massively bothered if I’m honest.” Despite his frustrations, he expressed a willingness to push forward in the sprint race and make further adjustments for the upcoming qualifying session, adding, “If I can move forwards in the sprint, great. I’ll try again in qualifying too. Make some changes to the car and see what we can do.”

Hamilton’s challenges are emblematic of the broader struggles faced by the Mercedes team this season. Despite making gradual improvements, the W15 has not yet provided the level of performance and consistency necessary for its drivers to compete effectively. The team’s ongoing development efforts are critical, as they strive to resolve the issues plaguing the car and restore Hamilton’s confidence on the track.

As the weekend progresses, both Hamilton and Mercedes will be looking for solutions to enhance the car’s performance. The goal will be to address the stability issues and boost Hamilton’s confidence, allowing him to drive at his best. With a strong track record and determination, Hamilton remains hopeful that he can turn his fortunes around, despite the current difficulties with the car.

In summary, Hamilton’s experience at Interlagos highlights the significant challenges he faces with the Mercedes W15, particularly in terms of confidence and car stability. As he prepares for the sprint and qualifying sessions, the focus will be on making necessary adjustments to improve performance and regain a competitive edge. The outcome of the weekend could be crucial in shaping the remainder of the season for both Hamilton and Mercedes.