Hamilton: Mercedes may have weak spot this year
- Published on 08 Jan 2019 08:35
-
- By: Richard Fletcher
Lewis Hamilton has expressed concerns that the rule changes for this year may have left Mercedes with a weak spot within the new aerodynamic regulations. He believes this weak spot has the potential to end Mercedes' run of dominance risking their chance of a 6th consecutive constructors title.
Team boss Toto Wolff has previously suggested that any of the teams on the grid have the potential to lead the championship if they find something to exploit in the new regulations that other teams do not spot. This year there is the possibility that a team manage to spot a loophole in the new rules and in turn they may gain a significant advantage.
Hamilton has publicly supported Mercedes and said that they will come up with the answers but he also warned that their dominant run may come to an end if they change their approach.
He praised the team saying: "If you look at the team's performance on the race weekend, that our mechanics, our engineers, strategists, we've all raised our game".
He added that it was inspiring for him and that he did not want to "let the down". The new regulations for the 2019 season include a simplified front wing, a deeper and wider rear wing and removal of winglets from brake ducts. Formula 1 made the changes with the aim of making it easier for cars to follow another driver more closely without losing downforce which they hope will lead to more overtaking.
The sport’s bosses have acknowledged that it may take until 2020 for the benefits of the changes to be seen across the grid so it remains to be seen if any of the teams have found a loophole that they have been able to exploit and if Mercedes will be taking another constructors championship.
Hamilton showed his confidence and expressed support for his team: "For next year's car, I have an idea where the weak spot will be with these rule changes. So I'm confident. As long as Mercedes don't change their approach, don't change their desire to win. As long as they don't do that, I believe that we'll be able to stay on this path and continue to fight at the top".
4
Replies (5)
Login to replyblade
Posts: 341
Love Lewis, but please god let there be more cars competing for honours this season. Rule changes are good if they mix things up a bit, it can also be a leveller of those different budgets - look at Brawn.
NathanOlder
Posts: 2
3 teams fighting for wins in at least half a dozen races not enough ? Doesn't get better than that very often.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Dont blu ball us Hammy. We all know you'll be fine.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
More utter lies from Merc, Toto and Lewis. like their "fake drama" mid-race almost every race, I've long stopped believing anything they say.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
So nobody believes Mercedes or Hamilton any more maybe it something to do with all their smoke and mirrors. I would love it if either Ferrari or Redbull came to the 2019 season with an Merc beater. Surely Hamilton is not suggestion that he can only win with an dominant car.