2023 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[214270]

Why’s he so slow is the question? I really don’t like the guy but this is uncharacteristic.

[j_ste]

Toto will make his excuses for Russell as usual.

The car looked good all session. Cant wait to see what it looks like on fuel

[omegacel71]

Why’s he so slow is the question? I really don’t like the guy but this is uncharacteristic.

Same feeling here. He wasn't on it in both Q1 and Q2 too, barely got past.

[DGP123]

Why’s he so slow is the question? I really don’t like the guy but this is uncharacteristic.

Is it? As soon as the experimenting stopped last year, Lewis has been faster. Same this year. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, as Lewis is still quick, but it’s becoming more and more clear that Merc don’t have the heir to Lewis, and that’s another issue for the team to address, further down the line.

[mstar]

Toto should of come on the radio and told russell to get out of the way, top 3 was definitely on the cards

[GCXX]

Under this conditions they should have keeping Bottas.
I can’t imagine that Russel will be a no. 1 driver when HAM retires.
Merc should keep an eye on Piastri or Norris imo

[214270]

Why’s he so slow is the question? I really don’t like the guy but this is uncharacteristic.

Is it? As soon as the experimenting stopped last year, Lewis has been faster. Same this year. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, as Lewis is still quick, but it’s becoming more and more clear that Merc don’t have the heir to Lewis, and that’s another issue for the team to address, further down the line.

RUS is never this far off. He’s not in the same stratosphere as HAM here in Spa, this is unusual.

[omegacel71]

This all could have been avoided if Mercedes didn't provide false information to the drivers about time running out.

[Hammerfist]

Why’s he so slow is the question? I really don’t like the guy but this is uncharacteristic.

Is it? As soon as the experimenting stopped last year, Lewis has been faster. Same this year. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, as Lewis is still quick, but it’s becoming more and more clear that Merc don’t have the heir to Lewis, and that’s another issue for the team to address, further down the line.

RUS is never this far off. He’s not in the same stratosphere as HAM here in Spa, this is unusual.

I agree. Late last year Hamilton used to often pip him in quali and edge him out in the races but this year and especially this weekend he is way off the pace. The gap started widening when the b spec car arrived. Feels like the new Merc car development direction suits Lewis style more.

[Sieper]

Why’s he so slow is the question? I really don’t like the guy but this is uncharacteristic.

He runs a way bigger rear wing. No fp1, no chance to know. Likely that cost him. Maybe it is good for the race?

[101FlyingDutchman]

Is it? As soon as the experimenting stopped last year, Lewis has been faster. Same this year. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, as Lewis is still quick, but it’s becoming more and more clear that Merc don’t have the heir to Lewis, and that’s another issue for the team to address, further down the line.

RUS is never this far off. He’s not in the same stratosphere as HAM here in Spa, this is unusual.

I agree. Late last year Hamilton used to often pip him in quali and edge him out in the races but this year and especially this weekend he is way off the pace. The gap started widening when the b spec car arrived. Feels like the new Merc car development direction suits Lewis style more.

The truth is: Engineers will make the car as fast as possible. Only the greats know how to live with it

[101FlyingDutchman]

I agree. Late last year Hamilton used to often pip him in quali and edge him out in the races but this year and especially this weekend he is way off the pace. The gap started widening when the b spec car arrived. Feels like the new Merc car development direction suits Lewis style more.

The truth is: Engineers will make the car as fast as possible. Only the greats know how to live with it

You can see that if a car gets developed and naturally gains are found it will virtually always be at a cost of one.
An easy to drive car hardly ever is the fastest to get around a race track.
HAM looks on it currently. Really nice to see!

[Spoutnik]

RUS is never this far off. He’s not in the same stratosphere as HAM here in Spa, this is unusual.

I agree. Late last year Hamilton used to often pip him in quali and edge him out in the races but this year and especially this weekend he is way off the pace. The gap started widening when the b spec car arrived. Feels like the new Merc car development direction suits Lewis style more.

The truth is: Engineers will make the car as fast as possible. Only the greats know how to live with it

There's drivers who likes the car being setup in a certain way, like a lazy front end. It might be efficient for them but it's difficult to be fast like that. It's a more forgiving but as you are not on the limit it's not easy to be as fast as others who carry more speed.

I don't know much about Russell driving style in all honestly. But I believe we are in the same situation as I described above. I don't think Russell lost his skills overnight.

[dans79]

I agree. Late last year Hamilton used to often pip him in quali and edge him out in the races but this year and especially this weekend he is way off the pace. The gap started widening when the b spec car arrived. Feels like the new Merc car development direction suits Lewis style more. Not unlike what’s been happening at rbr for years.

Imo, the issue for George, is that he has spent his entire F1 career driving garbage cars, and getting performance out of them by driving by the seat of his pants.

The merc is a fundamentally better car this year, and driving by the seat of your pants won't get the best out of it. I'm betting driving all those crappy cars has lead to bad habbits that he needs to break!

[ringo]

What's the head to head for race and quali now?

2023 H2H ( post Belgium Q)

Q - Hamilton 7-5 George Russell
R - Hamilton 8-3 George Russell


Since 2022 when Russell joined

Q - Hamilton 19-15 Russell (34 Q)
R - Hamilton 18-15 Russell (33 R)

Ok thanks.
I don't prescribe to merging years of stats as F1 is year by year. Each season is a new match and position for the season based on only its performance. Merging the years makes things look nip and tuck. Same was done vs Button. Pundits spoke of over 3 years, but that's misleading as even against Buttton, for 2 out of 3 years things weren't close but Hamilton had a horrible year when he was beaten by button.