Lewis Hamilton has remained coy on Mercedes’ pace advantage, saying that he doesn’t really know where it is coming from.
Mercedes has been on a pace advantage, which has been a big cause for concern for their rivals Red Bull. Until the Hungarian GP, Mercedes were second best. It is a different story altogether at the moment.
The speed improvements were on full display at Monza, Sochi and most recently, Istanbul Park. Mercedes dominated each of the aforementioned races, and the rest of the grid were left in their dust.
Many are questioning how this insane turnaround has taken place over the last few weeks. However, Hamilton remained coy on Mercedes’ pace advantage, saying that he doesn’t have a clue as to what changed for it to happen.
“We haven’t done anything to the car so I don’t really know why that is the case,” Hamilton said, as quoted by express.co.uk.
“I think the two tracks that we’ve just driven on have maybe suited us a little bit more.
“The car has been feeling good. It felt great this weekend (in Turkey) and moving forwards, Valtteri (Bottas) did a great job.
“If he can continue to perform like that over the next races, it will be good for the team and if the car continues to behave as it has this weekend, that is good for us,” he concluded.
Chasing shadows
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner admitted that if this trend continues, Red Bull will not be able to compete with the German team.
“Their straight line speed has taken a significant step recently. Whereas we could match them with smaller wings previously, now we can’t get near,” Horner said.
“Lewis in particular had a significant straight-line advantage with a bigger rear wing on the car.
“We’ve got to maximise our package as best we can and as I say it’s surprising that they appeared to have made the step that they have with the power unit.”
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