Lewis Hamilton held off the Ferraris and completed within the high 5 at Jeddah. However the seven-time champion wasn’t over the moon along with his consequence within the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as he noticed room for enchancment.
The 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix winner certified seventh for the race and supplied few phrases on Saturday night as he minimize a pissed off determine. However Hamilton turned issues round on Sunday: he started the race on laborious compounds, opposite to his rivals’ selection of mediums, and tried to go lengthy on these compounds and finish the race on softer tyres to take pleasure in a late benefit.
READ MORE: Russell calls Jeddah drive ‘one in all my strongest weekends in F1’ regardless of dropping P3 to Alonso
The emergence of the Security Automotive nixed that technique, however Hamilton nonetheless managed to complete forward of each Ferraris – who had not loved a pit cease through the Security Automotive.
“We acquired some nice factors as a crew right now… I used to be capable of transfer ahead from seventh to fifth, which is the primary factor,” started Hamilton. “If I had certified higher then possibly I may have gotten a greater consequence, however we nonetheless acquired some factors. My set-up this weekend has been the largest concern I’ve confronted. I acquired it incorrect for qualifying and it wasn’t good within the race both, so I struggled right now.
Hamilton says his ‘set-up was incorrect this weekend’ after racing to P5 in Saudi Arabia
“We have been making an attempt to go lengthy on the laborious tyre, however the Security Automotive got here out, so I needed to pit. We nearly managed to make the medium work, however it was a protracted second stint,” he added.
READ MORE: ‘I’m glad ultimately with the consequence’ – Alonso relieved after a centesimal profession podium reinstated in Jeddah
Hamilton took positives away from the weekend in Saudi Arabia that left Mercedes – whose different driver George Russell was briefly promoted to 3rd from fourth on the chequered flag earlier than Fernando Alonso’s podium was reinstated – degree on factors with Aston Martin going into Australia.
“We did not have the identical tyre degradation as we did in Bahrain, although. We have been loads nearer to a few of these forward and it is nice to be within the high 5, forward of the Ferraris. There’s heaps to work on, however there are positives to remove from this weekend,” concluded Hamilton.
Workforce Principal Toto Wolff praised each of his drivers, however admitted that there was some tempo left on the desk at Jeddah. He alluded to Mercedes’ worries over tyre degradation that noticed them lose out on the rostrum within the season opener at Bahrain, which is taken into account a harder observe on tyres than Jeddah.
READ MORE: Perez fends off Verstappen to win action-packed Saudi Arabian GP as Alonso takes a centesimal podium
“I believe each of our drivers below our steering most likely over-managed their tyres a bit, and we had just a little extra tempo. Bahrain remains to be in our heads, and we may have possibly pushed extra,” mentioned Wolff.
“It was a powerful drive from George and a terrific restoration from Lewis to get strong factors. Crimson Bull are nonetheless distant by way of efficiency and that will not be straightforward to catch. Nonetheless, right now we have seen that our growth is heading in the way in which we wish to head,” concluded the Mercedes boss.
