ISTANBUL – Formula One race driver, Lewis Hamilton’s honest assessment of Mercedes’ potential improvements could well be considered sweet music to the ears of title rival, Max Verstappen, as the British champion made worrying comments regarding his team, reports The Express today.
The 2020 Constructors’ champion’s vast improvements in speed was evident at the recent Turkish Grand Prix, with the race being won by Hamilton’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas.
It has been revealed that title rivals, Red Bull, were alarmed by the speed improvements and admitted that the team was unable to compete with Mercedes in Istanbul.
Team principal for Red Bull, Christain Horner, said: “Their straight-line speed has taken a significant step recently. Whereas we could match them with smaller wings previously, now we can’t (even) get near.”
"Lewis, in particular, had a significant straight-line advantage with a bigger rear wing on the car.
“We’ve got to maximise our package as best we can, and as I say, it’s surprising that they appeared to have made the step that they have with the power unit.”
Lewis, who settled for a fifth place finish after he was unable to secure a podium place in Turkey, admitted he too was in the dark regarding the improvements made.
“We haven’t done anything to the car, so I don’t really know why that is the case,” added Lewis when speaking about the claims that Mercedes numbers are on the up.
The seven-time world champion believes that the improved numbers were more down to the suitability of the two previous tracks rather than Mercedes making any direct changes.
“I think the two tracks that we’ve just driven on maybe suited us a little bit more.”
Whilst the Englishman struggled to mount any real charge on the Istanbul track, he went on to praise teammate Valtteri, as his win helped solidify Mercedes’ spot at the top of the constructor standings.
“The car has been feeling good. It felt great this weekend, and moving forward, Valtteri did a great job,” commented Lewis.
“If he can continue to perform like that over the next races, it will be good for the team, and if the car continues to behave as it has this weekend, that is good for us.”
With the 2020 champion confirming that Mercedes’ impressive recent numbers were more down to the type of track, Red Bull star driver, Max, will no doubt be relieved.
Following his second-place finish at the Turkish Grand Prix, the Dutchman moved back ahead of Lewis with a six-point gap at the top after his title rival missed out on a podium place, assuring Max of an advantage in the United States Grand Prix this weekend. – Agencies, October 20, 2021
