Lewis Hamilton, the British driver for Mercedes AMG F1, expressed his optimism about the potential of the team’s 2024 Formula 1 car. Despite a challenging start to the season, Hamilton believes that the car has shown glimpses of greatness. However, he acknowledges the need for consistency and drivability in order to fully exploit its capabilities. Hamilton’s confidence in the car is heightened by the fact that it performs better under the latest ground effect rules. He remains determined to work with the team to improve its performance and make the car more predictable. Hamilton’s experience in Australia highlighted the volatility of the car, with changes in wind and temperature affecting its balance and consistency. He emphasized the challenge of adapting to these unpredictable conditions, as each corner presents a unique set of variables.
This weekend’s Suzuka venue is famous for being the ultimate racetrack that requires drivers to have a perfectly tuned car underneath them. When asked if he can find that perfect balance, Hamilton responded, “Based on the past three races, it’s unlikely, but we’re working towards it. If it happens, it will be incredible. Regardless, just driving on this track is an amazing experience for us drivers. It’s the kind of track you dream of driving on when you’re younger, and they don’t make them like this anymore. The unique undulations and overlapping of the circuit make it truly special.”
Hamilton acknowledges that it will be difficult to find the right compromise in terms of set-up. He wants to be strong through the twists and turns in Sector 1 without sacrificing speed on the straights. Reflecting on last year’s race, he mentioned, “We were losing a lot of time in the first sector, so we usually try to add more downforce. However, that can result in losing speed on the straights. We’ll see. Hopefully, we’ll find the right balance and compromise.”
He also mentioned the various wings that teams are experimenting with this weekend. They are trying different setups and configurations in order to find the best possible combination.