Mercedes and Hamilton Facing Tough End to Partnership
After 12 successful years together, Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes Formula 1 team are facing a challenging end to their partnership. Recent performances have raised concerns that their time together may not conclude on a high note.
The Brazilian Grand Prix was a particularly concerning event, with Hamilton qualifying 14th and finishing 10th, while his teammate George Russell started on the front row and fought for the race win. Hamilton described the weekend as “crap” and the “worst the car has ever been.”
“The worst the car has ever been.”
- Lewis Hamilton
The root of the problem appears to be a lack of confidence in the car’s rear-end stability, especially in the slower-speed corners. Hamilton’s telemetry data shows he is constantly having to back off the throttle due to an unpredictable rear end, whereas Russell is able to maintain consistent acceleration.
Upgrades Fail to Address Weaknesses
Mercedes’ latest upgrades, introduced at the United States Grand Prix, have not fully addressed this weakness, particularly when dealing with successive low-speed corners. This has been a recurring issue for the team throughout the season.
As the team heads to the final race in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton and Mercedes are working hard to find a solution. Hamilton has acknowledged the “devastating” performances in the second half of the season and has committed to digging deeper with his engineers to uncover the answers.
Final Races May Provide Respite
Upcoming high-speed circuits like Qatar may play to the strengths of the Mercedes W15 package, providing some respite from the slow-speed handling issues. However, the team and Hamilton must act quickly to salvage a positive ending to their long and successful partnership.
With the Las Vegas Grand Prix on the horizon, the final chapter of the Hamilton-Mercedes era will be a critical test of their ability to overcome the current challenges and end on a high note.
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