“There is nothing positive today,” Mercedes motorsport director Toto Wolff told Sky after the Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain. The Black Silver Arrows only occupied positions five and seven in Sachir and had absolutely nothing to do with the exit at the top. The way forward is therefore even more difficult for Mercedes than originally thought.
There is also little for Lewis Hamilton that makes him happy this Sunday. Because fifth place was flattering for him and a podium completely out of reach: “We were miles away,” he quarrels and sees himself more in sixth place anyway due to Charles Leclerc’s failure. “The podium wasn’t even close.”
If you were at least somewhat reconciled on Saturday, not much went for Mercedes in the race on Sunday. The long run was not at its best and Hamilton pitted twice as the first of the top drivers. “On the whole it felt the same as last year,” he argues.
“We still have a lot of work ahead of us”
“When we decided the strategy in the morning, I told the guys that we wouldn’t make it as far as they thought – and we didn’t either,” said the Brit, who doesn’t attach it to the new Pirelli tires : “It’s not the tires. It’s the car,” he says.
“We still have a lot of work ahead of us. We’re missing a lot of downforce and therefore a lot of time,” said Hamilton, who isn’t worried that he’s not making enough progress: “Concerned wouldn’t be the right word,” he says. “I don’t want to say too much, but we just have to keep working.”
“We know we’re not where we need to be and we know this isn’t the right car,” Hamilton said. “It’s a difficult car. But I just have to stay positive, keep my head up and keep encouraging the guys. I have to try to be a positive light for them when I can.”
Formula 1: Aston Martin annoys Mercedes
But what actually makes it even more bitter for Mercedes is the success of Aston Martin. Because the racing team, which finished third with Fernando Alonso, is a Mercedes customer racing team, uses many parts of the team and uses the same wind tunnel – and was still able to overtake Mercedes for the time being.
“It’s really amazing to see,” said Hamilton, who praised the team for their good performance – and also his former rival Alonso. “A big compliment,” he pays respect. “He did a great job today.”
Hamilton himself fought against Alonso at times, but had to admit defeat after a surprising maneuver at turn 10. “Yeah, that was fun for a moment,” he says. “But he was just in a different league. He could pull away straight away. I knew he would come over when I saw him coming closer.”