Coming into the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, the Mercedes team did not have very high hopes. This is because the street circuit is a high downforce track, which does not suit the Mercedes car at all.
However, nobody could have predicted just how bad the weekend was going to be for them and Lewis Hamilton in particular.
With Hamilton down in 7th place, all he could do was his best and pray for a miracle. Unfortunately, things were about to go from bad to worse.
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Valtteri Bottas suffered an agonizingly long pitstop after his right front wheel refused to detach itself. In the end, the Finn was forced to retire and leave Hamilton all on his lonesome.
Lewis Hamilton did not have it easy either
After a disappointed Hamilton crossed the line in 7th, engineer Pete Bonnington consoled him. Bono said, “Okay Lewis, that is P7.
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“It’s been a tough day, mate, sorry about that. Been a bit of a sh*t weekend all round, but we’ll come back stronger. Just been to do an autopsy on this one and learn.”
As it turned out, the reigning champion was so upset with himself that he was dead silent on the drive back. All that he could do was stew in his own misery and rue what could have been.
To make matters worse, not only did Max Verstappen take his maiden Monaco win, but he also assumed the championship lead. Furthermore, Red Bull have leapfrogged Mercedes in the Constructors’ champion with one point between them.
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Just 4 points separate the Dutchman from the Briton ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Without a doubt, the German giants and the 7-time World Champion will want revenge for his loss. Azerbaijan is a track where he has won before, and Mercedes racked up two wins to Red Bull’s one win.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton Looking to Come Back Stronger in Baku After Underwhelming Monaco GP Weekend