After a Stellar Double Podium, Lewis Hamilton Unveils the Major Influence of the Mercedes W14 Pace: “Helped Us Get on the Right Track”

While no team could have prevented Max Verstappen from winning his third Spanish Grand Prix, the best anyone could have done was finish in the top three. The Mercedes lads actually executed that action. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell both won the podium spots at the Barcelona race, getting a P2 and P3, respectively. However, if you think that the modifications alone have made it possible for both of the motorists to finish inside the podiums, the 38-year-old might be willing to shed some light on the Mercedes W-14’s major influence on performance.

After the team made some essential upgrades to their W-14, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya gave Mercedes the actual picture. The Silver Arrows made two improvements rather than continuing with the same package that included an upper mirror vane. The mirror vane was the first thing to disappear, since the new sidepod solution allowed for improved airflow to the back of the car. Besides, in order to speed up the flow into the area, the team also adjusted the diffuser’s side view profile.

Despite F1 fans’ perceptions that these upgrades might be the true cause of Mercedes’ recuperation, Lewis Hamilton has attributed his team’s efforts to the significant influence. As per fia.com, the winner of six Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton said,  “The car felt great today. Friday was a real struggle with the balance, it was way out of the window. It was very hard to drive, very unpredictable. And then we did some great work overnight.”

Later while crediting the hard work and brilliance of Mick Schumacher behind the simulator, the Brit added, “We’ve got a great team, with Mick back in the simulator on Friday night and he did some great work, which helped us get on the right track on Saturday. I think we did pretty decent work in trying to understand the different downforce levels.” 

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The attitude Hamilton had going into the Spanish Grand Prix was undoubtedly not as upbeat as it appeared to be after the race. However, now Hamilton says the group has “something in the pipeline.”

Lewis Hamilton remains upbeat after the double podium finish at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

The Silver Arrows have been restless since the start of the season since they possessed all the tools necessary to compete at the top but failed to place themselves in that league. However, the success they’ve had in spurts this season looks to be holding.

The German manufacturers delivered the modifications with some “real expectations,” at the Monaco GP in light of which now Lewis Hamilton, the team’s top driver, believes the more the team pushes its boundaries, the greater effect it may have in the future.

The Briton said, in his conversation with BBC, “We have something in the pipeline. We need to be taking big chunks out of them with every step we take. We’re going in the right direction.” Later, while adding the pinch of optimism in his words, the 38 year old said, “I am hoping by the end of the year it would be great if we can challenge them. But I am more focused on making sure that we have the car to challenge them next year from day one. The further we push this car this year, the more it impacts next year.”

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The double podium certainly tells how the upgrades have entirely made Lewis Hamilton and Co. upbeat. Do you believe the Brackley-based team can catch up to the mighty Red Bull as the season goes on?