Lewis Hamilton Hails Mercedes $500,000 “Bonus” to Deal With a Horrendous Issue Despite Being Handicapped by $135,000,000 Ceiling

For an F1 driver to maximize the potential of the car, he must feel one with the car, almost like the car is an extension of their body. Lewis Hamilton recently explained how the seating position in the W14 is further forward than the competitors and it almost feels like sitting on the front axle rather than sitting inside the side. As a result, the Briton is not able to feel how the car is moving beneath him. Nevertheless, despite being handicapped by a $135,000,000 ceiling, Lewis Hamilton recently hailed Mercedes’ $500,000 bonus that has helped him deal with the horrendous issue. What is this bonus?

Mercedes brought new upgrades to Monaco with expectations of helping with the issue. However, with the cost cap era limiting the spending ceiling to $135,000,000, Mercedes would not be able to change the chassis until next season. Hence, the seating position remains the same. Nonetheless, Lewis Hamilton seems happier with the new package, as he explained recently. 

The Briton suggested how Mercedes cannot do anything about the seating position this year, hence the only thing they can do is to stabilize the rear so that Hamilton can trust it without worrying about an unpredictable snap as he cannot really feel how the rear is behaving. It is about finding the right mechanical balance between the front and the rear, where Hamilton feels comfortable pushing the car. Chase your sport suggests that an F1 suspension costs around $500,000. Hamilton then added that the new front suspension has come to his rescue. It has helped him feel better inside the car, hence improving his confidence to push the W14. 

According to motorsport.nextgen-auto, Lewis Hamilton said, “There’s nothing you can do about it, that’s how it is. The only thing you can do at the end of the day is just try to slow down the rotation grip, stabilize the rear. So it’s something that you’re trying to deal with the mechanical balance between the front and rear axles. But we are limited with the tools we have on an F1 car. The anchorages are the same as last year. But the new suspension was a real bonus for me. It gave me a lot more confidence last week. And so I hope that translates here.”

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George Russell agreed with Lewis Hamilton about the major upgrades as he suggested that the upgrades do not tell much, but having no nasty surprises was a positive in itself. However, the 25-year-old did suggest that there is a possibility that Red Bull can win all the races.

George Russell on Red Bull winning all the races.

Red Bull had been the class of the field this season, winning all 6 races so far. And it’s not even a minor advantage, but a huge one. George Russell explains just on the basis of pure pace, Red Bull can win all the races. However, it’s F1 and uncertainties are guaranteed at some point in the season. Russell hopes to take advantage of some misfortune down the road to sneak in a win or two. 

According to the FIA press conference, George Russell when asked about Red Bull winning all the races said “Yeah, I think like Max said, on pure pace, for sure, they’ve got the potential, but certain things can happen. And I’d like to think we’ll be able to fight at some point and take advantage of some misfortune, down the order. But yes, it’s challenging. I agree with what Max said. There has always been dominance in Formula 1.”

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What do you think about Lewis Hamilton’s comments? Will he be able to perform better with these new upgrades?