Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes’ “peaky” 2024 Components 1 automotive is operating at its “most” efficiency degree with out extra upgrades and solely responds to 1 set-up.
Hamilton completed third in Sunday’s 2024 Spanish Grand Prix – 17.8s behind winner Max Verstappen’s Purple Bull and Lando Norris following intently for McLaren and the polesitter feeling he ought to have been victorious.
The result’s Hamilton’s better of the season thus far and represents his first podium look for the reason that 2023 Mexican GP, which he referred to as a “huge increase to lastly get an excellent consequence”.
“We’re slowly getting nearer,” he added within the post-race press convention. “Final 12 months, we have been very quick right here, so it’s a must to take it with a pinch of salt, however clearly the final couple of races we have been comparatively aggressive.
“So, I feel now we have closed the hole slightly bit, however we nonetheless have an excellent couple of tenths to try to discover. We simply should have all fingers on deck and hold pushing.”
When requested if Mercedes was nonetheless fine-tuning the W15 package deal that has just lately been up to date with a brand new entrance wing idea and lighter ground, Hamilton replied: “No, I feel that is the utmost it is acquired in the intervening time.
“However we’re at all times fine-tuning it with refined adjustments that we make. So, we’re at all times fine-tuning it and we proceed to tune it by way of the 12 months.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Crew, third place, waves from the rostrum
Picture by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photographs
“However we have to bolt some stuff on, some further bits to have the ability to compete with these guys.”
Hamilton needed to battle again after being overtaken by team-mate and early chief George Russell in the beginning of the Barcelona race, however he was in a position to get well the third-place beginning spot he had secured along with his greatest qualifying results of the 12 months thus far behind Norris and Verstappen on Saturday.
Having mentioned his inconsistent qualifying outcomes so far in 2024, Hamilton revealed that Mercedes’ automotive apparently solely responds to a single set in every part he has tried in changes for the reason that begin of the present guidelines period, in addition to a weak point in tyre preparation.
“Our tempo is the place we have been, principally – third or fourth this weekend,” he stated.
“However I feel our automotive is mostly fairly peaky and that implies that it is typically out of steadiness. It is very uncommon that it is in steadiness and it is good and easy by way of a nook.
“So, set-up – I’ve clearly experimented lots with set-up over the past couple of years, however the automotive does not actually like every of the set-ups however one.
“It is slowly beginning to grow to be nicer to drive. And finally tyres. Tyres have been an enormous subject for me.
“So, I feel we acquired it half-decent this weekend. If I could make some enhancements over the course of the subsequent races, I feel there’s extra efficiency there.”
