Shovlin explains Mercedes' approach in first qualifying segment in Abu Dhabi
Mercedes trackside engineer director Andrew Shovlin explained the Brackley-based outfit's approach in first qualifying segment in Abu Dhabi, acknowledging that "it was not the way we wanted to head into our final race day together."
With the entire field having found big improvements in the closing stages of the first qualifying segment, the seven-time world champion found himself in the drop zone. He was on his final push lap, and was on course to put in a good enough time that would get him through to Q2, but he came upon a slow Kevin Magnussen in the Haas.
The Dane driver moved to the side of the track to get himself out of the way of Hamilton, but doing so, he ran over a bollard which rolled back on to the racing line. Hamilton then ran over the bollard which got stuck under his front wing which saw him lose valuable time, and he eventually was eliminated in Q1.
The unfortunate incident could have not come at a worse time as Hamilton is completing his final outing with Mercedes, and he has appeared to be much more comfortable behind the wheel of his car than in previous rounds.
Reflecting on the tough qualifying session for the Brackley-based outfit, Mercedes' trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin insisted that the
"That was a tough evening and one that didn't go the way we had hoped. Firstly, we can only apologise to Lewis for his Q1 exit. Traffic is always a challenge here in Qualifying and something that you account for.
"Unfortunately, we didn't get it quite right. Both cars left the pit lane at the back of the queue; with overtaking in the tunnel not allowed, many cars ahead took the opportunity to form larger gaps to the car in front than usual. That left Lewis and George on the back foot and having to cut their way through traffic on the out lap to make the flag.
"They were then further compromised by having less than ideal gaps to the car ahead of them. All that said, both were on pace to make it through to Q2 before a loose bollard became stuck under Lewis's car at turn 14. That impacted him in the final few corners and, in an already tight session, cost him a couple of vital few tenths.
Shovlin continued: "It is not the way we wanted to head into our final race day together. We will be doing everything we can tomorrow to enable Lewis to work his way back through the field. Fighting drives are an absolute speciality of his and we know he will be giving it his all to end our time together on a high.
"On George's side, he has struggled pace wise a little more this weekend. We will need to evaluate why that is but, in the meantime, our focus is on trying to make gains tomorrow. Starting from P7 that will be tough. The field is close, and we know overtaking is a challenge here. Nevertheless, we will see what we can do and hope that we can finish the year more strongly than we did today."
