r85 wrote: ↑29 Nov 2024, 22:29
matt_b wrote: ↑29 Nov 2024, 20:18
Bracken wrote: ↑29 Nov 2024, 20:01
This is embarrassing for Lewis, how on earth can't he figure out how to qualify?!?
George P2 Lewis P7 and four tenths adrift, he was flying on his first lap and messed up the final sector asking too much from the car again, he's done his all season and even James Allison said you cant hustle these cars like times before yet here we are.
Agreed. I watched the Singapore Q3 laps of Lewis and George because their laptimes were similar but the driving styles are so different.
Lewis yanks the steering wheel through the corners, brakes as late as possible and slams the throttle out of corners while George is smooth and gentle with the throttle and steering input.
I doubt Lewis will change his style after such a long career, so he can only hope whatever cars he drives next can withstand his harsh driving style. Younger drivers can adapt easily so they can get up to speed with anything you give them.
It seems these cars really don’t like late braking and aggressive steering. Watching the onboards Russell brakes a bit earlier and carries more speed through the corner. He has less steering on and doesn’t seem to ask as much from the car. If the car had more grip to exploit Hamilton’s style would make better use of it but as it doesn’t he ends up sliding, usually losing the rear.
Would 29 year old Hamilton have adapted better? Hamilton has said previously he doesn’t like to to use the sim and look at data much, preferring to just feel and drive. This is one instance where data and sim work would probably be very helpful.
I do think it’s to Merc’s advantage to massage Russell’s ego as he’s their new team lead. Shovlin has said previously that a lot of their development has centered around giving Hamilton what he wants from the car. I think it’s evident that what Russell wants is now more important. Also giving Russell confidence that he can lead the team before Hamilton leaves.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Ferrari responds better to Hamilton’s hustling style, or, if he’s still in F1 the 2026 cars do.
