F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Excited To Leave W14 Behind - "Hopefully No More Driving It!"
Lewis Hamilton has candidly expressed relief at the impending end of a trying season with the mercurial Mercedes W14 after a Brazilian Grand Prix beset by mechanical retirements. Max Verstappen secured victory in a race that saw resilience from podium finishers Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso amidst the chaos.
Key Takeaways:
- Lewis Hamilton is looking forward to the end of the season due to consistent issues with the Mercedes W14, expressing relief that only two races remain with this car.
- The Brazilian GP was marked by numerous retirements, with Max Verstappen winning and both Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso completing the podium in a race plagued by mechanical failures.
- Hamilton’s performance was hampered by tire management and an unpredictable car, but he remains proud of his team’s efforts despite the challenges.
Formula 1’s penultimate round at the Brazilian Grand Prix was an affair riddled with mechanical calamities and racing heartache, reminding us that the pinnacle of motorsport can be as unpredictable as it is thrilling. Amidst the chaos, Lewis Hamilton's candid reflections on his Mercedes W14 were a standout, revealing a driver ready to move on from a challenging season.
Max Verstappen's win was a masterclass in composure, a stark contrast to the mayhem unfolding in his rear-view mirror. Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso complemented the podium, finding silver linings on a day when reliability overshadowed outright speed.
Before the lights had even gone out, drama struck Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari with a hydraulic failure, leading to an early exit before the formation lap concluded. The first-lap collision then unfolded like dominoes toppling, as Albon and Magnussen’s clash led to a cascade of damage, putting a premature end to their race ambitions and dragging others into the fray.
Through the turmoil, Hamilton wrestled with a car that seemed to have a mind of its own. Post-race, his assessment of the Mercedes W14 was uncharacteristically blunt after he was reminded that he only has two more races with the car.
"Thank God! Yes, it [sounds good]," Hamilton replied. His words cut through the usual optimistic rhetoric, highlighting the frustration that has built up over the season.
Hamilton continued, detailing the struggles faced during the race:
"It didn't feel as disastrous as yesterday. Yesterday I literally had no tyres left, they were worn to zero. I feel like I drove a better race today in terms of managing the tyres to the best of my ability.
"But the car, there's moments it works and moments it doesn't, and it's so inconsistent through the lap. So we have to figure out what that is. Then also we are really slow on the straights and at least sliding the car through the corners."
The candour in Hamilton's voice painted a clear picture of the inconsistency and performance woes that have plagued the team.
"One thing the car is really unpredictable. In a sense of one weekend it feels good, one session it feels good, and then not," he added, highlighting the sporadic nature of the car's performance.
Despite the adversity, he remained appreciative of his team's efforts:
"But I'm still proud of the team, they still came here and did their work, they hold their head up high and that's what we have to continue to do. Just keep pushing forward."
Looking ahead with a mix of optimism and relief, Hamilton remarked:
"Two more races with this thing. Hopefully no more driving it," expressing a desire to leave this year’s troubles in the rearview mirror.
With only two races remaining, the W14’s tenure is winding down, and Mercedes, along with Hamilton, will no doubt be eager to turn the page on this chapter and look towards a fresh start in the upcoming season.