Mercedes explain problem which held Lewis Hamilton back at F1 Chinese Grand Prix
Mercedes 𓂃detail the reason for Lewis Hamilton's P9 finisꦗh in Shanghai
Mercedes have explained that an F1 Chinese Grand Prix to forget for 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton was due to tyre temperature.
Hamil�ౠ�ton came home in P9 in Shanghai after recovering from starting from 18th.
168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell, Hamilton’s teammate, was sixth.
Notably the two Ferraris finished ahead꧋ of both Mercedes.
Red 🎀Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Chinese Grand Prix, his domination a stark contrast to the♉ ongoing problems at Mercedes.
“From wh🌼ere we started, the f🦋inal result was close to the maximum with the car we had today,” a Mercedes spokesperson said.
“George’s main objective was t�𓂃�o clear Fernando Alonso and Piastri which he did.
“A strong final stint managing the degradation ensured Alonso didn’t become a threat at th๊e end.
“Lewis struggled with rear tౠyre temperature all race, likely as a result of the balance of the car.
“He benefitted from the Safet⛎y Cars but ultimately was unfortunate not to take P8 at the end, not quite able to get into Piastri’s DRS range.
“It’s been a weekend of contrasts. Likely the sweeping changes made after the Sprint didn’t hel🍒p but we were able to race competitiv🔯ely against the McLarens, Ferraris, and the Aston Martin of Alonso.”
Hamilton experienced a topsy-turvy weekend at the fifth round o🦋f the 20🦋24 F1 season.
He was bouyant after Friday qualifying for the sprint race when he insisted that the W15 "came alive" in the wet conditions 🃏that he typically excels in.
Hamilton started second on the grid for the sprin♔t race but was overtaken by eventual winne꧑r Verstappen.
But his weekend suddenly came crashing back down to Earth after qualifyiꦦng for the grand prix in 18th.
An uncharacteristic error from Hamilton saw him eliminated in Q1. He later explained that he made "massive changes" in 🦋his car set-up betw🍸een the sprint race and qualifying for the grand prix.
Hamilton's hint that he and Russell ran with different set-ups on Saturday was♏ somewhat refuted by his♏ teammate, though.
“We're pretty similar on the setups, we both went in a similar direct♚ion, but there’s a small difference,” Russell said.
Nico Rosberg, Hamilton's ex-teammate who was comment𝔍ating for Sky Sports, criticised the seven-time F1 champion for "excuses" about his set-up.
Sky Sports' Karun Chandhok then insisted that set-up changes were not to blame for Hamilton's terrible qua๊lifying.
Ultimately, his g🐠rand prix was rescued with a P9 finish.
But his final year with Mercedes, before joining Ferꦛrari next season, is not going to pl♔an so far.
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade coveri💙ng everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
