Lewis Hamilton Reveals Mercedes Struggle and George Russell Clash at Silverstone

Mercedes fails to make the top 10 in FP2 as Hamilton and Russell struggle with conflicting set-up approaches

Mercedes encountered difficulties during Friday practice at Silverstone, with Lewis Hamilton revealing that he and teammate George Russell were at odds regarding car set-up, leaving them both lacking confidence.

After a disappointing performance in Austria, where Ferrari emerged as the closest challenger to Red Bull, Mercedes aimed to bounce back at their home race with a new front wing upgrade for the W14. However, their Friday practice sessions did not provide much reassurance, as neither Hamilton nor Russell finished in the top 10 in FP2.

Hamilton expressed that he did not feel any improvement in performance when changing between different Pirelli tire compounds, indicating that something is amiss with the car. However, there was a silver lining in their long-run pace, which showed signs of promise.

In an interview with the media after FP2, Hamilton acknowledged the ongoing challenges they face with the car, describing it as tough to drive regardless of the set-up adjustments they make. He noted that there was no noticeable improvement in his single-lap pace with different tire compounds, suggesting that there is room for improvement.

When Hamilton’s FP2 time on the soft compound was mentioned to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard reacted with surprise, acknowledging that it was a fast lap. However, Hamilton did not share the sentiment, expressing that his pace did not feel particularly exceptional, though he acknowledged the track’s demanding nature with significant balance shifts throughout each lap.

Regarding car set-up, Hamilton revealed that he and Russell were pursuing different approaches, but neither was satisfied with their respective configurations. They had considered gravitating toward each other’s setups but were hesitant due to concerns about lap times. Hamilton admitted to not having specific ideas on narrowing the balance window for the W14 but mentioned that they would work on it with the help of simulator work.

If Hamilton were to secure a ninth victory at Silverstone, it would establish a new record for the most wins at a specific Formula 1 circuit.