• Home
  • formula-1
  • Hamilton in the form of his life: Mercedes updates in Sochi

Hamilton in the form of his life: Mercedes updates in Sochi

xpb
Hamilton in the form of his life
Subscriptions & booklets

V before the Singapore GP, Lewis Hamilton jetted around the world. He was in Shanghai and New York. After winning the night race, it held the four-time Formula 1 world champion in Asia. Hamilton traveled to Thailand and Malaysia for sponsorship appointments. “I saw some beautiful places and was able to spend time with the family.”

This week, Hamilton returned to the place where he delivered one of his weaker races last year. Fourth place in the qualification. Fourth place in the race, more than 36 seconds behind the winner and team-mate Valtteri Bottas. In 2014 and 2015, however, Hamilton won the Sochi Autodrom. He is going into the fifth edition of the GP Russia with a lead of 40 points.

But the 33-year-old warns to write off Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel. “I don't have a hand on the title. There is no such thing for me. You have to grab with both hands. Only then is the win guaranteed. ”The defending champion and seven-time winner of the season is preparing for a demanding season final spurt. 'Different challenges will confront us.'

Sochi Motor Line

The first one could be lurking in Sochi. The Sochi Autodrom is a circuit where engine power is required. And in terms of performance, Ferrari overtook Mercedes over the course of the season. The engineers from the silver camp want to make the W09 faster with aerodynamic updates. Retouching on the front wing, changes to the underbody and the baffles and a completely new rear wing adorn the Silver Arrow. Two pillars now support the rear wing. A solution that we know from Ferrari, HaasF1 and Sauber. It is quite possible that Mercedes is aiming for a controlled bending backwards in order to gain top speed on the straights. However, Ferrari has also flown in updates to Sochi.

ams
The new rear wing of the Mercedes W09.

With the victories in Monza and Singapore, Hamilton steered the world championship in his direction. The 69-time GP winner sees himself in the shape of his life. “I live healthier, I am happier and stronger.” He and his team have moved even closer together this year. Talk openly about weaknesses and openly express your opinion. “At the end of 2017, the engineers told me what I could have done better. Negative statements annoy you and don't sound nice at first. But that's the only way to improve in the long run. ”He himself was in better shape at the beginning of the season. The results didn't always reflect this. “I was satisfied with my driving performance. But our car is pretty complex. I first had to decrypt the package for myself. Now I know how to get the most out of the car, ”said Hamilton, explaining the increase.

Hardly any chance of overtaking in Sochi

Compared to last year, Hamilton sees a further development in the details. “Most of it is not visible to you. Communication with the engineers is better. I worked on tire management. I live healthier. ”The World Cup leader drives his team on. “I question everything. I challenge them. I may not always be right, but that's the only way we can make progress. ”

Sochi is one of the most hostile circuits on the calendar. Mercedes aims for pole position. Although on the 1,029-meter-long straight stretch to the first braking point, the slipstream can be a big trump card. As Bottas proved in 2017. 'With a good start you can still stay ahead,' says the Finn. “The track was re-asphalted in the first row. Usually new asphalt offers better grip. So it should be better to be in front. ”

Why is it so difficult to overtake at the Sochi Autodrom? “You have to be 1.4 to 1.5 seconds faster,” explains Hamilton. “The tires have been too hard in recent years. They did not dismantle. Without tire removal, you will never make the delta to be able to overtake. ”The FIA ​​is therefore extending the DRS zone on the home straight. And with the Hypersoft, Pirelli is bringing a tire that is two levels softer than the softest compound in Sochi in 2017. Is that why it is better? “I'm not afraid,” says Nico Hülkenberg. 'Get some popcorn and cola.'

0 Comments

Leave a reply

Name *