Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, culminating in a frustrating race where he had to resort to unconventional driving techniques to navigate the Baku street circuit. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, found himself struggling with balance issues in his Mercedes, leading to a subpar qualifying performance and a difficult race day.
Qualifying in seventh place, Hamilton revealed that Mercedes had encountered a component issue in the car that had led them in the wrong setup direction. This setback prompted the team to fit a new power unit for the race and make suspension adjustments, resulting in Hamilton starting from the pitlane. Despite these obstacles, Hamilton managed to claw his way up to ninth place by the end of the race, thanks in part to late clashes between other drivers and a daring move on Nico Hulkenberg.
During the race, Hamilton was visibly seen fighting with his car to navigate the tight 90-degree bends of the Baku circuit. His struggles were evident as he had to resort to yanking the steering wheel to compensate for the imbalance between the front and rear of the car. Hamilton described his driving style as unorthodox, highlighting the challenges he faced in controlling the car throughout the race.
Reflecting on his performance, Hamilton expressed his frustration with the handling issues, stating that it was the worst balance he had ever experienced. He described having excessive front-end grip and lacking rear traction, forcing him to slide through corners by aggressively steering the car. Despite his best efforts, Hamilton acknowledged the limitations of the track and the team’s struggles to find the right setup from Saturday’s practice sessions.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff shed light on the decision to take an engine penalty in Baku, citing the difficulty of overtaking on the circuit as a factor in the strategic choice. With high hopes for the upcoming race in Austin, the team opted to make the engine change in Baku to maximize their chances in a more favorable environment. Wolff emphasized the team’s focus on performance improvements, highlighting the upcoming introduction of a new floor design to enhance the car’s overall balance and competitiveness.
Looking ahead to the future races, Mercedes aims to address the performance challenges they faced in Baku by implementing new technical upgrades and refining their setup strategies. The team’s focus on finding the optimal balance and maximizing tire performance will be crucial in maintaining a competitive edge in the fiercely contested Formula 1 season.
As the championship battle heats up, Mercedes and Hamilton will need to overcome their recent setbacks and adapt to the evolving demands of the sport. With a resilient mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement, they aim to bounce back stronger in the upcoming races and showcase their championship-winning pedigree on the global stage.