With Mercedes struggling to overcome the porpoising issues that have plagued the W13 since pre-season testing, Hamilton doesn’t want the team to waste a second figuring out how they can improve.
Because, despite the fact that the team’s good results have kept it a shorter distance than expected from the fight for the championship, Hamilton is well aware that he cannot continue to count on the bad luck of others to continue reaping good results.
The Briton is very clear that Mercedes cannot afford to wait two or three more races to bring improvement packages, so this week, he will dedicate himself to being in contact with the German brand’s management, as well as with its partners. sponsors.
“There’s a lot of work [to be done] and we’ll be making a lot of calls, obviously,” Hamilton said of his plans ahead of the next race at Imola.
“I’m on a lot of Zoom calls with all the sponsors and our bosses, trying to support and encourage them as much as possible. We have to make some improvements and we need everyone’s support to do it, to make sure we leave no stone unturned.” “.
“It’s about making sure that the hunger [to win] is really there and that we’re absolutely maximizing every moment.”
Hamilton is aware that the reduction in porpoising is compromising the pace of the Mercedes , so he believes that much more speed can be obtained from the car if the team manages to control the phenomenon.
“I’m keeping a close eye on the people that are in the wind tunnel, the aero guys, and I’m just keeping an eye on absolutely every area,” he said. “We can get more out of the areas we know about.”
“And we need it now. Not in two or three races. We all know as a team that we have to keep that spirit high and that energy high.”
Although Mercedes is second in the constructors’ championship at the moment, and George Russell is second behind Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ standings, the difference in pace with Ferrari and Red Bull is still more than evident.
And while reducing this deficit will not be easy, Hamilton remains hopeful that Mercedes has more room for improvement with his car than Ferrari and Red Bull with theirs.
“I prefer to be optimistic,” confessed the British pilot. “There are 20 races left. If you think realistically, with the way the sport works in terms of everyone’s development, the top teams often improve at a similar pace and rate. Will that be the case with this new car? Who knows?”.
“I really hope we can get into the fight soon. But with every improvement we make, [Ferrari] and Red Bull will probably take a similar step, so it’s not going to be easy. Yes, the difference is quite big right now. But there’s a long way to go.”
