Hamilton Struggles Again with ‘Disastrous’ Mercedes: ‘Should Have Been Faster’

Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging qualifying session for the Mexico Grand Prix, securing .comy the sixth-fastest time. The seven-time world champion continues to grapple with the performance of his upgraded Mercedes. The unpredictability of the W15, a persistent issue throughout the season, proved to be a significant hurdle once again in Mexico City. Consequently, Hamilton has tempered his expectations ahead of the upcoming race.

Struggles in Qualifying: A Familiar Challenge

Despite experiencing some positive moments in the practice sessions, Hamilton realized during qualifying that he was unable to match the pace of his competitors from Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren. “The third practice felt really good,” he reflected afterward. “That’s why we made few changes leading up to qualifying. We adjusted the wing and left it at that. Beyond that, we couldn’t alter the setup much; our performance is simply what it is.”

Disruptions During the Race Weekend

As qualifying progressed on Saturday, Hamilton found that his car behaved unexpectedly. “All the grip at the rear sudd.comy disappeared,” the 39-year-old driver lamented. “The car felt completely different again.” This isn’t the first instance this season where Hamilton has contended with the ‘unpredictable’ nature of the W15. In previous races, such challenges sometimes materialized into unexpected improvements just before the main event. However, Hamilton remains apprehensive in Mexico, especially after already winning two Grand Prix events this year.

A Ray of Hope Amidst Uncertainty

“It will be intriguing to see how things pan out during the race,” he added with a hint of optimism. “In principle, we have made some improvements to the car, so it should be significantly faster.” Nevertheless, the Mercedes driver maintains a cautious outlook. “Once one wheel lifts off the ground, the entire car starts bouncing; it’s genuinely catastrophic.”

Facing Stiff Competition

“I don’t expect we’ll be able to compete with the frontrunners,” Hamilton remarked, referring to Verstappen, Norris, and the two Ferraris. “They’re simply too far ahead. We’ll have to wait and see how it all unfolds. My main goal is to make it to the end of the race.” In the previous Grand Prix in Austin, Hamilton was forced to exit early after an unfortunate spin that landed him in the gravel trap, which adds to his concerns for the forthcoming race.

As the Mexico Grand Prix approaches, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and uncertainty. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Hamilton will navigate the challenges presented by both his car and his rivals. The unpredictability of this season continues to keep everyone on the edge of their seats, as each race brings its own unique set of twists and turns.