LEWIS HAMILTON’S HOPES of winning a third Australian Grand Prix were handed a reality check by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff Thursday, who warned there was “no magic fix” to the problems plaguing his car.
The once-dominant Silver Arrows have fallen well short of Red Bull and Ferrari in the opening two races of the season following a series of design changes to comply with new regulations for the 2022 season.
A key problem has been porpoising -– bouncing at high speed -– and Mercedes have been working round the clock to remedy the issue at their British base since the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix two weeks ago.
But while Mercedes, who have won the last eight constructors’ world championships, are tipped to introduce a new rear wing in Melbourne, Wolff warned they still had a lot to do.
“We are in a learning race and the first two weekends have shown we still have plenty to learn,” he said.
“At the moment, our track performance is not meeting our own expectations, but everyone at Brackley and Brixworth is focused on understanding the problems and finding the right solutions.
“There won’t be a magic fix for the next race weekend, but we’re pushing to steadily bring gains over the upcoming races, to hopefully move us closer to the front of the pack.
“Until then, we need to maximise each opportunity and make the most of the package we have.”
At the opener in Bahrain, seven-time world champion Hamilton finished third behind the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, but only after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez retired in the closing stages. Hamilton’s teammate George Russell was fourth.
In Saudi Arabia, Hamilton managed only 10th, while Russell fared a little better in fifth, but still considerably off the pace of the Ferraris and Red Bulls who filled the top four.
Despite the frustrations, Wolff praised his drivers’ patience.
“There are various challenges ahead of us, but that’s something we relish and is when a team really shows its true spirit,” he said.
“Lewis and George are making an important contribution to the overall effort, providing feedback, spending time in the simulator and working together to help push us forward.”
The early-season problems have left Mercedes trailing Ferrari by 40 points in the constructors’ championship after two Grands Prix, with Hamilton in fifth place in the drivers’ standings, 29 adrift of leader Leclerc.
Hamilton has claimed pole position eight times in Melbourne, including the last six. He won in 2008 and 2015.
Come on Hibernian beat the filth
Fights all over the place real shame this going to take away from the win.. Happy for Stokes..
Rangers skum came on the pitch after the Hibs fans and started their usual crap..
To be fair they are rotten but there is no need for Hibs fans to rub into the rangers players similar to the Hull fan to Richard Keogh during the week..
Your trying to blame Rangers for this trouble…..your deluded!
Take your blinkers off David
Stokes is on fire today. He could have had a hat trick already..Rodgers and a Hibs win would round off a great weekend..
Stokes is a Hibs legend now. 114 years. Delighted for Hibs, what a game.
Hibs would have taken this over promotion every day of the week.
Some match so far how is Kevin Doyle in Ireland squad ahead of Stokes .
Because Stokes is rubbish.. Come on he is in the Scottish 2nd league..
‘Cause he’s a head case…come on the hibs, sunshine on leith
I still think he is better than Doyle .
And Doyle plays for Colorado rapids
Doyle is still playing at a higher standard.. Both aren’t good enough for Ireland.. But I don’t anyone looked at our squad announcement apart Stokes and thought where is Stokes?
I can guarantee that the FA cup final won’t be as good as this game,
And that’s supposedly a “higher standard”
Yeah the players will be tho.. Every single one of them.. So what’s your point?
Doyle is playing for one of the best teams in the MLS at the moment..
Higher standard often makes for a worse game cos they cancel each other out
Nice goal in fairness to him.
3-2 Get in Hibernian
The pitch invasion at the end almost reminded me of an all Ireland final before plan b! That’s until everyone remembered its soccer and your supposed to hammer the sh*te out of each other.
Pmsl..
I hope Stokes lifts the Scottish Cup.
Stokes scores again .
Great final so far..
Plan B Plan B Plan B
Disgraceful scenes
Dry your eyes ffs. Disgraceful scenes your arse.
Some carry on ,on the pitch at the moment
that should be supporting hibs sorry,I’m a Motherwell fan but have always had a soft spot for the hibees,I hope the Celtic fans who claim to be delighted for hibs were supporting them rather than the usual just anti rangers bile
Well done Hibs&stokes!
Good game. What minute will Hibs do a Hibs?
were you supporting jobs for hibs sake or just being anti rangers genuine question
It wouldn’t have mattered who Hibs were playing today. I would have wanted them to win regardless. 114 years they’ve been waiting on this, I’m sure the majority who don’t support either side would have wanted them to win it.
The fact that it was against the tribute act just added a bit of spice to it.
HIbs are a disgrace, pure filth!