Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Formula 1 driver, qualified third on the grid for the Spanish Grarnd Prix. This grid position is so far the best in 2024, but he believes the team needs to find solution to the key weakness. He reckons that the weakness is only visible when he pushes the car to limit.
The British driver struggled with his tyres on Mercedes W15 F1 car while he pushed it to the limits. Despite tyre struggles, he managed to finish third on the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying. This the first time in 2024, where he managed to remain in top 3.
Previously, he remained no higher than seventh on the grid in non-sprint racing formats. His results, predominantly, remained disappointing in this year.
Following FP2 at Barcelona where the British driver topped the grid, he still remained doubtful whether “if we can hold onto the Red Bulls and the Ferraris and McLarens” in qualifying.
His performance dipped in FP3, however he recovered to third place on grid during qualifying behind Max Verstappen and pole sitter Lando Norris.
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Hamilton added: “I still feel like I lost performance going into quali.
“It’s all about perspective [though]. Maybe they just moved forwards, but I definitely feel like there was a little bit more [to extract].
“But just as you start to push the car, it doesn’t like it. So, in practice, when you leave a little bit of margin, the car feels quite nice.
“But it’s when you start to really lean on it to try and get that extra bit of lap time out where we really struggle. And I think it’s all in the tyres.
“So, you saw in P1, I was seven tenths down due to an issue with the blankets. And then we got it sorted for the following sessions.
“It puts you a little bit on the back foot. But yeah, otherwise, the car, it’s good that we’re up here and it’s the best qualifying I’ve had this year, so I’m really grateful for it.”
Mercedes team had internal discussion on the tyre issue that drivers struggled while leaning on them. Hamilton added: “So, we’ve got some improvements to make to the car.
“But I’m really happy to be P3. It’s a pretty good spot to be in for the start with that long straight down to Turn 1 [for the race start behind the two drivers on the front row].”
