Lewis Hamilton reported a strange problem on the pit radio during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku a few laps before the end: “The seat has gotten cold!” This was unusual in that his Mercedes team couldn’t find any technical problems in the analysis of the race that would explain the sudden drop in temperature.
“I didn’t have an answer until I spoke to Lewis,” says Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles. “Nothing had changed in the car. It seems that from the many blows his back took from ‘bouncing’ he became numb and the feeling of cold seems to have been a reaction to that.”
After the end of the race, Hamilton had trouble getting out of his car halfway straight and was so physically battered that team boss Toto Wolff initially even questioned his participation in Canada next weekend. In the meantime, however, Hamilton has given the all-clear via Instagram and confirmed his start in Montreal.
There is no question that his condition was serious. “My back is killing me,” he radioed early in the race. And on Sunday evening, it took intensive physical therapy from his supervisor, Angela Cullen, to be able to walk reasonably pain-free again.
Discussion about rule change in Formula 1
Hamilton was back at the Brackley factory on Monday to discuss with his engineers how Mercedes can make the F1 W13 E Performance faster. “I’ve spent a few hours with Lewis and I can confirm that he will be back in the car in Montreal,” said Vowles.
“He’s a top athlete who pushes his own limits. That’s what Formula 1 drivers do and what makes them so exceptional. This time we probably pushed our package and our drivers too far because we exposed them to significant complaints , and we can’t do that again,” notes Vowles.
Vowles does not comment specifically on the discussion about changing the rules because of the “hopping” cars. But he says: “Our drivers are not the only ones suffering. Many drivers have spoken out in the media that they are in pain. We have a responsibility and we have to make sure it doesn’t continue like this.”
Hamilton “one of the losers of the season”
Ralf Schumacher, meanwhile, has his own theory as to why Hamilton seems to be more affected by the “bouncing” of the Mercedes than his teammate George Russell: “He probably sits more upright in the car. That means the load on the lumbar spine is even higher. Accordingly he’s going to have so much back pain.”
The “Sky” expert was in a hurry on Monday at “ServusTV Sport and Talk from Hangar-7” and spoke there, among other things, about Hamilton (“He’s one of the losers of the season!”) And his crisis in the Mercedes team. Excerpts with highlights from the show can now be seen on the Formel1.de YouTube channel.
“A young man comes into the team from outside, dominates the multiple world champion and the icon of the sport. That gnaws at him, I’m pretty sure,” says Schumacher. “George Russell has a super eloquent demeanor, comes in like a ray of sunshine and makes life difficult for him. I wouldn’t have thought it that way either.”