Hamilton Attributes Brazil Qualifying Struggle to Tyre Issues
Lewis Hamilton's qualifying at the São Paulo Grand Prix was marred by severe tire issues, preventing him from advancing beyond Q2 and leaving him starting 13th. Despite feeling the car setup was strong, Hamilton cited problems with tire preparation, leading to a lack of rear-end grip. This contrasts sharply with teammate George Russell's P3, highlighting Mercedes' ongoing struggles with consistent tire performance and prompting questions about the team's ability to extract optimal performance under pressure.
Lewis Hamilton's disappointing early exit from Q2 at the São Paulo Grand Prix qualifying was primarily due to his inability to get the tires into their optimal operating window, a critical factor that has plagued the Mercedes team at various points this season. Despite a strong car setup, the seven-time world champion found himself starting 13th, a stark contrast to his teammate George Russell's P3.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's qualifying struggles at Interlagos highlight Mercedes' ongoing battle with tire management and car performance consistency, especially when track conditions are challenging. For a driver of Hamilton's caliber, starting 13th significantly hampers his chances for a strong race result and underscores the team's difficulties in extracting maximum performance from their package, even with recent upgrades.
The Details:
- Tyre Woes: Hamilton explicitly stated, "I didn't have any rear end. The tires weren't working today." This points to a lack of grip and balance, making it impossible to push the car effectively.
- Setup vs. Preparation: While Hamilton felt the car setup was "good," he emphasized the issue lay in "how we prepared the tires," suggesting that the pre-lap procedures, out-lap strategy, or even the chosen tire blankets might have been suboptimal.
- Teammate Contrast: George Russell, Hamilton's teammate, managed to qualify third, indicating that the W15 potentially had the pace, but Hamilton couldn't unlock it on his side of the garage due to the tire issues.
- Historical Context: Mercedes has struggled with tire warm-up and operating windows throughout the hybrid era, with specific compounds and track temperatures often exposing these weaknesses. This latest incident in Brazil suggests the problem persists despite development efforts.
- Jamie Chadwick's Observation: Racing driver Jamie Chadwick noted the puzzling discrepancy, stating that both Mercedes looked to be struggling before Russell suddenly found pace. "So, Lewis himself must be confused," she remarked, capturing the frustration of the situation.
What's next:
Starting from 13th on the grid at Interlagos presents a significant challenge for Hamilton, though the track is known for its overtaking opportunities. He will be looking to make up positions early in the race, but a podium finish or a strong points haul will require exceptional tire management and strategic calls from the Mercedes pit wall. The team will undoubtedly analyze the data to understand the tire performance disparity between their two cars and aim to prevent a recurrence in future races.