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Hamilton Hints at Potential Mercedes Swap After Intense Battle with Russell as FIA Announces Cost Cap Breach Fines
Lewis Hamilton has suggested that a potential swap of car specifications with teammate George Russell could be on the cards for the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix. This comes after the two Mercedes drivers engaged in a thrilling battle during the Mexico City Grand Prix, with Hamilton eventually overtaking Russell late in the race. The intense on-track scrap saw the pair finish fourth and fifth, showcasing Mercedes’ competitiveness despite ongoing challenges.
Hamilton and Russell were using different setups in Mexico, as Russell was on the Silverstone specification of Mercedes upgrades after damaging his newer parts during a crash at the United States Grand Prix the previous week. Hamilton, on the other hand, was running the newer upgrades, which have been subject to mixed reviews from the seven-time world champion. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hinted that Hamilton might feel more comfortable using the older specification, raising the possibility of the two drivers swapping setups for the next race in Brazil.
Hamilton Reflects on Mexico Battle with Russell
The battle between the Mercedes teammates was one of the highlights of the Mexican Grand Prix. Russell held Hamilton at bay for several laps before Hamilton finally made his move, overtaking his younger teammate at Turn 1 with just five laps remaining. Reflecting on the race, Hamilton praised Russell’s defensive driving and hinted at a possible swap of car specifications ahead of the next race.
“It was always going to happen at some point,” Hamilton explained after the race. “I think George had a problem with his wing, but we gathered a lot of information from the battle. I could see where he was stronger, and hopefully, the team has all the data they need to decide who starts on what next week.”
Hamilton acknowledged the importance of maintaining a clean race, especially when battling with a teammate. “George is pretty smart, and I’m careful about where I place my car too. So when they came onto the radio to say, ‘Keep it clean,’ I was like, ‘Of course.’ You just need to be extra cautious when it’s your teammate you’re fighting against.”
Possible Car Specification Swap for Brazil
With Hamilton seemingly more comfortable on the older car specification, there is speculation that Mercedes could swap the drivers’ setups for the upcoming São Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil. Hamilton hinted at the possibility after the race, noting that the team would review the data and make a decision based on what they believe would yield the best results.
Wolff, too, suggested that Hamilton might prefer the older setup, stating that Mercedes would consider the feedback from both drivers and adjust accordingly for the Brazilian GP.
Hamilton’s Struggles with Understeer in Mexico
Despite eventually getting the better of Russell, Hamilton’s race was far from smooth. The 39-year-old Briton struggled with understeer during the early stages of the race, a problem that stemmed from an adjustment to his front wing just before the start. Hamilton explained that he took too much front wing out, which caused significant understeer, particularly during the first stint.
“I had a good start, but I took out too much front wing and had massive understeer in the first stint,” Hamilton said. “You have to guess where to be with the front wing, and I had a lot less than George. At the time, it felt like the right thing to do, but it turned out to be the wrong choice.”
Hamilton’s race improved after his pit stop, where the front wing setup was adjusted, allowing him to regain pace and push harder during the second half of the race. “After my stop, I was able to rectify the issue and had much better pace. I could push and keep going, which allowed me to eventually overtake George.”
FIA Announces Cost Cap Breach Fines
In a separate development, the FIA has announced penalties for teams that breached the 2023 cost cap. The governing body confirmed that several teams would face fines for exceeding the financial limits imposed to ensure a level playing field in Formula 1. Although Mercedes is not among the teams fined, the news adds another layer of intrigue as the sport continues to navigate its cost cap regulations and their impact on competitiveness.
As Hamilton and Russell prepare for the next round in Brazil, all eyes will be on Mercedes to see whether the team opts to swap car specifications between the drivers and how that decision will influence their performances in the remaining races of the 2024 season. With Hamilton’s future already set at Ferrari for 2025, the final few races of the season will offer a fascinating conclusion to his long and successful tenure at Mercedes.
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