Lewis Hamilton remains “optimistic” that Mercedes’ 2024 Formula 1 car has promising potential that the team has been unable to exploit on a more consistent basis.
Mercedes entered the season with renewed confidence that its overhauled car concept had eradicated the negative characteristics that encapsulated its predecessor.
But despite having shown flashes of speed at times, Mercedes has endured its worst start to a season since 2012 with a total of 26 points from the first three rounds.
However, Hamilton is still upbeat about the German marque’s prospects in his final term with the side compared to past seasons under the latest ground effect rules.
“I definitely do feel more optimistic about this car, yeah,” he reiterated.
“Obviously the first couple of races there has been small showings of the car feeling great and we would have pace for a moment and then it kind of disappears.
“So there’s definitely performance there, we just need to work on making this car more consistent and drivable.”
Hamilton was bemused in Australia a fortnight ago as he went from being within a tenth of the pacesetting time in the final practice hour to being eliminated in Q2.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff explained that the Briton had been enthused with the car until a five-degree temperature change between sessions impacted the balance.
Asked to pinpoint what makes the W15 so volatile from one session to the next, Hamilton answered: “It just becomes incredibly inconsistent, but the wind often makes a big difference.
“If you go from one session in Australia for example – FP1 – the wind is low and the car is more stable, more consistent, more predictable. And then the wind picks up and it’s inconsistent through the corner, from the moment you brake to the moment you initially turn to getting back on power.
“It’s just different every single corner, there’s no way you can know to get it right.
“Even if it was consistently different between low, medium and high, you could then get your mind around it, but it’s not.
“It’s just different in every single corner and at different yaw and different speeds. So it’s a challenge.”
This weekend’s Suzuka venue is renowned for being the ultimate drivers’ circuit that requires those behind the wheel to have an optimised car underneath them.
Questioned if he can unlock that sweet spot, Hamilton replied: “If the last three races are anything to show for it, unlikely, but we are working towards it so if it happens then that will be amazing.
“But either way, just driving this track is just such an incredible experience for us drivers. It’s the track that you always hope you get the opportunity to drive when you were younger, and they don’t make them like they did this circuit. The undulations you have and the overlapping of the circuit is pretty unique.”
Hamilton believes it will be challenging to choose the right compromise on set-up to be strong through the sweeps in Sector 1 but not lose time down the straights.
“I think last year when we were losing a lot in the first sector – a huge chunk in the first sector – so normally we try to add on downforce, and then obviously lose that down the straights,” he assessed.
“We’ll see. We’ll hopefully find the right compromise and the right balance.
“Today I’m sure you’ve already seen the different wings people have this weekend to start out with at least, but we’re experimenting with everything.
“Experimenting and trying to find the best set-up and compromise.”
Discussion about this post