Saturday’s sprint qualifying session at the Belgian Grand Prix saw Mercedes in a promising position, especially after Lewis Hamilton’s stellar performance in the initial SQ3 run.
However, any hopes for a pole position in the sprint race were disrupted when Hamilton and his teammate George Russell interfered with each other’s races.
Hamilton, who found himself closely behind Russell in the final lap, faced a setback when Russell’s car locked up at La Source and subsequently lost its pace through Eau Rouge. As a result, both drivers’ laps were effectively spoiled.
The incident enabled their rivals to seize the top grid positions, an outcome far from satisfactory for both Mercedes drivers. Russell described the situation as “an utter chaos”, while Hamilton lamented a missed opportunity at potentially securing a front-row position.
Reflecting on the blunders, Team Principal Toto Wolff stated that the team’s recent communication mishaps during qualifying sessions at the Spanish and Austrian Grands Prix necessitate significant improvement.
Wolff expressed that the impact of the error wasn’t merely on Hamilton missing a pole position or front-row slot, but a loss for the team as a whole. He emphasized that learning and development are constant processes, and despite the unfortunate events, he was confident that subsequent discussions would lead to corrective measures. However, he pointed out the team’s recurring mistakes, emphasizing the need to “elevate our performance”.
Photograph by: FIA Pool
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG, during the Team Principals Press Conference
Hamilton and Russell pinpointed the problem to inadequate information regarding the time left to complete their laps as Q3 was winding down.
Russell noted: “The conveyed message was that we were cutting it close, and we had to aggressively overtake to complete the lap.”
Hamilton expanded on this by saying, “There seemed to be a disconnect in communication. We were led to believe we were short on time as we approached the last corner amidst seven other cars. Hence, George attempted to quickly overtake, rather than pacing ourselves and establishing a gap.”
Wolff identified the need for improvement in the dialogue between the pit wall and the drivers as the primary issue.
He stated, “We need to elevate our communication skills between the drivers and the team. Precise communication is crucial during high-pressure scenarios. A small mistake can turn an excellent strategy into a disaster.”
Using Max Verstappen’s race as an example, Wolff pointed out that had Hamilton and Russell not interfered with each other’s laps, Max would have missed his final lap. Nevertheless, Wolff insisted that the team needs to focus on its shortcomings, mentioning that they had sufficient time to provide both drivers with a proper start.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Wolff said, “Considering Lewis had provisionally secured the pole position in the previous lap, ending up in the seventh position is unacceptable for us as a team.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mercedes driver communication
What happened during the Belgian Grand Prix qualifying session?
During the qualifying session at the Belgian Grand Prix, Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell interfered with each other’s races during the final lap, effectively ruining both of their laps and allowing rivals to seize the top grid positions.
What was the result of this incident for Mercedes?
The incident led to Lewis Hamilton, who was previously in a promising position for pole, ending up in the seventh position. This was considered a loss not just for Hamilton, but for the entire Mercedes team.
What was the team’s response to the incident?
Team Principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the team’s communication mishaps during the qualifying session and stated that there is a need for significant improvement in communication between the team and its drivers.
What were the drivers’ comments about the incident?
Both Hamilton and Russell pointed out that they had received inadequate information about the time left to complete their laps, which led to the mishap. Russell described the situation as “an utter chaos,” while Hamilton lamented a missed opportunity at securing a front-row position.
What solution did Toto Wolff propose to avoid such incidents in the future?
Wolff emphasized the need for improvement in the dialogue between the pit wall and the drivers as the primary issue. He suggested that precise communication is crucial during high-pressure scenarios to prevent mistakes that can disrupt the strategy.
6 comments
Frustrating for Hamilton, Russell and all Merc fans. If they sort out their communication issues, they’ll be unstoppable!
can’t believe Mercedes messed up again. hamilton and russel need to sort this out. team’s gotta communicate better!
Communication is crucial, especially in F1. Mercedes needs to step up their game big time.
looks like the pressure got to them. Everyone makes mistakes but they can’t afford them at this level.
Honestly, I thought Merc would have this sorted by now. guess i was wrong 🙁
This sort of mishap is not acceptable from a team like Mercedes! Toto, please get your act together.