Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell expressed their concerns after experiencing a drop in pace compared to recent races in the Mercedes W14 car at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Following strong performances in Spain and Canada, where Mercedes secured podium finishes, the team struggled at the Red Bull Ring. Hamilton finished in seventh place, while Russell managed to recover from a Q2 exit to finish just behind his teammate in eighth.
Hamilton, who received a time penalty for breaching track limits, voiced his concerns about the car’s performance throughout the race. He mentioned that the car did not turn properly early on, but clarified that there was nothing mechanically wrong with it. He attributed their lack of pace to the competitiveness of McLaren and some areas for improvement for Mercedes.
Russell also noted that the car felt “substantially worse” compared to previous weekends, suggesting that the change in tyre compounds could be a contributing factor to their struggles. He acknowledged the impressive performance of McLaren and Lando Norris, who achieved the team’s first top-five finish of the season in Austria.
Both drivers highlighted the need for Mercedes to understand the reasons behind their decreased pace and make necessary improvements. They emphasized the importance of analyzing the performance and addressing any issues to regain competitiveness.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the race as a challenging day for the team after their recent improvements in form. The disappointing showing in Austria has prompted the team to reflect on their performance and focus on resolving any underlying issues for future races.
