Lewis Hamilton has argued Mercedes has a “pretty impossible” task to hit the ground running with the updates it has brought to Formula 1‘s United States Grand Prix.
Mercedes looked destined to experience a productive end to the season when upgrades turned the W15 into a car which bagged three wins before the summer break.
However, the German marque hasn’t managed to sustain that upturn in results as a single podium has come in the four races to be held since the campaign restarted.
Hamilton, who has not appeared on the rostrum since triumphing in Belgium in July, has admitted the recent three-week interval arrived at an ideal time for Mercedes.
The Briton is harbouring optimism that Mercedes has utilised the break to ensure that its latest upgrade package has addressed the recent problems it’s encountered.
“Normally they’re [the team] on the move all the time, so they’ve definitely had time to analyse where we’ve gone wrong,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“But also we’ve been a bit out of sequence [compared] to the others.
“The others have all upgraded at times we haven’t, so we’re bringing an upgrade here for example.
“Some people probably will bring small pieces here, but maybe not everyone will have the same upgrade we have here.
“Others brought it to Zandvoort and to Monza I think it was for Ferrari, so I think we’ve just been a bit out of sync and we ultimately lost our way a little bit with set-up.
“Trying to get as much from this car that’s slowly deteriorating on the floor for example.
“So I think we understand where we’ve gone wrong, I think not necessarily wrong, but where we’ve veered off and I’m hoping this weekend we can start back on a better balance.”
Hamilton cites Sprint warning with upgrades
Mercedes’ bid to understand its newest parts will be restricted in Austin, however, as the return of the Sprint format means the teams will have a sole hour of practice.
Hamilton has admitted the limited data Mercedes will be able to gather means it is improbable it will extract the entire potential from the upgraded W15 this weekend.
“It’s pretty impossible unless you’re just lucky and it [the upgrade] works from the get-go,” he explained.
“Last year we came here and I didn’t have to change much and the balance was sweet from the get-go. Nine and a half times out of 10 that’s not the case.
“It’s difficult but everyone’s in the same boat. That puts a lot of pressure and a lot of focus on simulation.
“Simulations haven’t been ideal in the past year or so but we are constantly working on them. Some others put their car on the track and it just works straight away.
“We’re hoping that we’ve definitely made more than enough mistakes and hopefully we’ll be able to start on a better platform.”
Russell expecting Mercedes double step
George Russell suspects Mercedes being made to ditch a revised floor that it introduced in Belgium should see it take a bigger-than-anticipated step with this update.
“Obviously, we reverted with the upgrades that we brought to Spa,” he highlighted.
“Effectively, we’re making two steps now when we bring this upgrade. We’re hoping it’s going to have quite an impact.
“I hope with the upgrade we can be in the fight again, at least in qualifying, fighting for those top four places and then in the race fighting for a podium.
“Realistically, we know McLaren and Red Bull are a good step ahead of everyone right now.”
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