Team Mercedes is in trouble! Lewis Hamilton and George Russell somehow managed to get into Q3 after intense bouncing and dull pace. The team was again the third quickest and was way off Ferrari and Red Bull’s pace.
The Austrian was so unsure that he did not reply confidently to a Q3 chance. While Toto spoke very honestly and admitted to the team being all over the place, somehow Russell and Hamilton managed a Q3. Notably, Russell again landed his W13 ahead of his much-experienced teammate.
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In an interview, Toto spoke hopefully and said, “If you look at it through rose tinted glasses you can say hopefully four of them crash out at turn 1 then you can win the race, but I think on pure pace it’s realistic to finish 5th and 6th.”
Further analyzing the race, he added, “I think the positions were to be expected. Third quickest on the road.”
“Gasly had some really good races. The gap is big and its a long lap. We are pretty much lacking everywhere. So, that is… hopefully, I don’t have to loo at these overlays in the future.”
These are surely not the words Mercedes fans were expecting from a boss who has previously lifted 8 constructors’ titles and is used to winning.
Lewis Hamilton is under investigation for driving too slow
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To add fuel to the fire, Lewis Hamilton is under investigation for a Q2 incident. He is under the possible threat of being ousted from his hard-earned top 10 positions. The driver apparently drove slower than expected unnecessarily. Notably, this created problems for McLarens driver Lando Norris, who couldn’t make it to Q3.
Regarding that, Wolff commented: “I can not pre-empt what the stewards are going to say, I think he was within the delta time. What that means? And how the stewards will assess it, I don’t know.”
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Initially, Hamilton himself was at risk of being eliminated but managed a better position. Whether he will be penalized or not, we’re not sure, but it possibly cost Norris his Q3 today.