Lewis Hamilton expressed a familiar sentiment after qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, saying that there were moments where the car showed potential but ultimately disappointed. Hamilton, along with his Mercedes team, watched as their hopes faded and they were knocked out in Q2. Even Hamilton’s teammate George Russell, who has been performing better when Hamilton struggles, only managed seventh on the grid. This false dawn in practice has happened before in the 2024 season, with Mercedes experiencing a similar situation in Bahrain. In Melbourne, Hamilton was slower in Q2 than he had been in FP3, while Russell was only slightly slower. Other drivers, such as Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc, were significantly quicker. It was perhaps unrealistic to expect much more from Mercedes, as this circuit does not suit their car’s strengths. Despite some encouraging signs in FP3, the gap between Mercedes and their competitors widened in qualifying. Hamilton and Russell were closely matched, with Hamilton only half a tenth slower than his teammate. However, a mistake in the final corners cost Hamilton and allowed Russell to progress to Q3. In terms of performance, Hamilton is sensitive to inconsistencies in the car, which can affect his mindset. Russell, on the other hand, does not feel these fluctuations and is happier with the car’s balance. The specific circumstances of the race may have influenced their perspectives. Ultimately, Mercedes seems to hit a performance limit in qualifying, while Hamilton occasionally manages to exceed it. This recurring issue prevents Mercedes from establishing themselves as the best of the rest and challenging Red Bull. Despite the limitations, there is still hope within the team that the car has more potential. However, the car’s inconsistency remains a concern.
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