Lewis Hamilton believes that Mercedes will have a more successful performance in the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix compared to previous seasons under the current Formula 1 regulations. Despite not having achieved a podium finish at the venue since 2019 due to the challenges posed by the ground effect cars, Hamilton, a three-time winner in Monte Carlo, remains optimistic. Mercedes, which has slipped to fourth place in the championship this season, has found encouragement from recent updates and believes it has now found a clear direction. Although there are no new developments planned for this weekend, Hamilton expects the Mercedes W15 to perform better in Monaco than its predecessors.
Monaco is considered an anomaly on the schedule where a driver can compensate for a vehicle’s shortcomings to a greater extent than at the traditional tracks elsewhere.
Hamilton has emphasized the significance of establishing a rhythm from practice and restated his belief that Mercedes should have a stronger foundation to build upon this time.
“I mean, we’re utilizing simulation tools and determining the level of grip on the surface, the roughness of it, the car’s optimal positioning, the balance between high and low speeds, the mechanical equilibrium, weight distribution, canvassing, and towing, among countless other factors,” he elaborated. “There are numerous elements that come into play on this journey.
“You can practice on the simulator, but it’s not until you arrive at the actual track that you encounter any potential issues.
“But yes, ideally, you hit the ground running and never look back. However, that hasn’t been the case in the past couple of years.
“But like I said, I have more confidence heading into this weekend.
“This car is much more predictable and enjoyable to drive. It’s still not flawless, but it’s progressing in the right direction.”
However, with Mercedes still grappling with difficulties in finding a balance between high and low-speed corners, Hamilton has admitted that there is no guarantee the team will be competitive.
When it was suggested that Mercedes’ 2024 car tends to perform better in slow-speed sections, Hamilton responded, “Again, that’s not really the situation. If you look at Suzuka, we were very slow in the slow speed, and if you look at Jeddah, we were fast in the slow speed but terrible in the high speed.
“So, when I dare to step out there tomorrow, I do believe we should be a little bit better here. I think the car’s performance window between high and low is starting to open, so I’m really hoping we’ve found a sweet spot and can be a bit closer.
“Actually, in qualifying last year, we weren’t that far off despite having a much worse car. I hope that speaks volumes for this weekend.”