Just In: Mercedes reveal reason why Hamilton has benefited more from… Read More 👇
SPA, BELGIUM - JULY 28: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team F1W15 leads Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team F1W15 during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 28, 2024 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
Mercedes reveal reason why Hamilton has benefited more from… Read More 👇
Mercedes has revealed the reasons why Lewis Hamilton has gained more from the recent upgrades to the W15 than his teammate George Russell. The Brackley-based team faced significant challenges at the beginning of their 2024 Formula 1 season, as the W15 car proved to be inconsistent and had a narrow setup window. However, as the season progressed, Mercedes made substantial improvements to the car, which have allowed both Hamilton and Russell greater flexibility in their setups. This has enabled the car to compete more effectively for race wins and pole positions.
The team’s efforts have paid off, with Mercedes winning three out of the last four races. This marked progress has particularly benefited Hamilton, who has become increasingly comfortable with the car’s handling, giving him an edge over Russell. Earlier in the season, Hamilton struggled more than his teammate to adapt to the W15, but the upgrades have changed the dynamics.
Mercedes’ Trackside Engineering Director, Andrew Shovlin, provided insights into why Hamilton’s performance has improved. Shovlin noted that at the beginning of the season, Hamilton found it more challenging to cope with the W15’s characteristics. He explained that one of the key improvements has been the team’s ability to start a race weekend with a solid setup foundation during the first practice session (P1). This allows the team to fine-tune the car’s performance more effectively throughout the weekend.
Shovlin highlighted that in the early part of the year, the team was making relatively small adjustments to the car, but these changes often disrupted the car’s balance, leading to significant difficulties. During this period, Hamilton faced more challenges in setting up the car compared to Russell, who seemed to adapt more easily.
The introduction of ground-effect cars in 2022 as part of major regulation changes has posed particular challenges for Mercedes, making it difficult for the team to consistently compete for race wins and pole positions. Hamilton’s driving style has not been ideally suited to these ground-effect cars and their tires, which has prevented him from fully utilizing his braking potential. This has been a significant factor in Hamilton’s struggles with the W15.
However, as Mercedes has continued to unlock more speed and performance from the W15, the gap between Hamilton and Russell in terms of their setup preferences has narrowed. Shovlin mentioned that there is a specific driving style that works well with the current tires, and now both Hamilton and Russell are converging on similar setups. When the car is performing well, the same setup strategies tend to work for both drivers.
Shovlin also pointed out that Hamilton and Russell have been collaborating closely throughout the season. Neither driver was satisfied with the team’s early-season results, and they have worked together to explore different setups and driving styles in an effort to improve. This teamwork has been crucial in helping the team make progress as a whole.
Mercedes is now focused on closing the gap to the top three teams in the constructors’ championship. The Silver Arrows currently have 266 points, which places them 79 points behind Ferrari, who are in third place. The team is determined to continue building on their recent successes and is hopeful that the improvements to the W15 will allow them to challenge the top teams more consistently in the remaining races of the season.
About The Author
