Lewis Hamilton's Surprising Monaco Turnaround: A Day of Redemption for Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes experienced a much-needed boost during Friday's practice sessions at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix. Hamilton, who has had a less-than-stellar season so far, lauded it as 'the best day' the team has had on track in 2024. Narrowly clinching the top spot in the first practice session by just 0.029 seconds and finishing a close second to Charles Leclerc in the second, Hamilton’s performance was nothing short of uplifting for the Mercedes camp.
A Positive Start
The Monaco GP is known for its reliance on qualifying performance, and Hamilton's strong start has invigorated the Mercedes team, who have struggled this season. For Hamilton, the day’s results were not just a flash in the pan. 'The car was feeling really positive,' he shared with Sky Sports F1. 'I’m really enjoying driving and the track is amazing; the grip was feeling quite good.'
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite these encouraging signs, Hamilton acknowledged that Mercedes 'still had some challenges with the balance.' However, the overall sentiment was one of surprise and satisfaction, particularly given their last two rough trips to Monaco. 'It was a more enjoyable ride than we’ve had here the last two years, particularly,' Hamilton added. He is optimistic that Mercedes has a strong qualifying pace but feels the W15 still needs improvement in long-run capability.
The Russell Perspective
Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, encountered some troubles of his own in FP2. Vibrations with his car's steering system relegated him to 10th position in the second practice, a significant drop from his third place in opening practice. 'As soon as I touched the brakes, the whole thing was shaking to bits,' Russell described the unsettling experience. It was enough for the team to call it a day and focus on analyzing the issue rather than pushing the car any further.
Looking Forward
Russell remained optimistic despite his challenges. 'Generally, we’ve been performing really well today. Clearly working well,' he noted. Even with his unsettling experience, Russell could see the bigger picture and the improvements made.
Both drivers are aware of the competitiveness of the field, especially with Charles Leclerc showing formidable pace. Yet, Russell echoed Hamilton’s positivity, stating, 'Today has been one of our best Fridays, no doubt. The car’s been feeling the best I’ve ever felt around Monaco.'
Breaking Records
The consistent improvements have been a morale booster for the team, especially as the lap times were startlingly quick compared to previous years. 'Potentially even breaking the lap record, someone will probably do so tomorrow; hopefully, it will be us,' Russell excitedly shared, hinting at the high potential he sees in the car.
The ever-changing weather of Monaco also adds an element of unpredictability, but both drivers remain upbeat about their performance. With Russell predicting a top-five result for Saturday’s qualifying, there’s plenty of room for optimism in the Mercedes camp.