Hamilton Optimistic about W15, Cautious about Changes

After a challenging start to the first race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton finally found reason for optimism at the Japanese Grand Prix. The British driver, the seven-time world champion, praised the performance of his Mercedes W15 car after an encouraging practice. session at Suzuki.

Hamilton described the first free practice session as the “best session” the team has had so far this season. He and his teammate, George Russell, finished fourth and fifth respectively, showing a significant improvement from the previous race.

In the second free practice, conducted in the rain, Hamilton achieved the second fastest time, although unstable conditions limited the representation of lap times. Despite this, Hamilton expressed confidence that the Mercedes team will start the weekend in a strong position.

“It’s the best feeling the car has had so far,” said Hamilton, adding that the Suzuka circuit is loved by all drivers but has been a challenge in recent years for Mercedes. He praised the work the team had done to improve the car’s performance in recent weeks.

Despite his optimism, Hamilton took a cautious approach to changes to the car ahead of qualifying. He stressed the importance of not making too many changes that could compromise the car’s performance, highlighting the need to maintain a strong foundation for the rest of the race weekend.

Teammate George Russell shared Hamilton’s optimism, describing Mercedes’ performance as a “pleasant surprise”. Russell praised the car’s balance and expressed confidence that the team is moving in the right direction.

However, both drivers admit that work is still being done, especially to improve the car’s consistency in various track conditions. The challenge now for the Mercedes team is to translate their promising performance in practice into solid results during the race.

With the 2024 Formula 1 season ahead, Hamilton and Russell’s renewed confidence gives Mercedes fans hope. However, the team remains focused on the goal of overcoming challenges and competing at the highest level, while continuing to seek improvements in the car’s performance.