Mercedes had another frustrating weekend at Monza as they struggled to keep up with the pace set by Ferrari. The W14 was clearly the third-fastest car on the grid, leaving George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at a disadvantage. Despite their efforts, Russell and Hamilton managed to secure fifth and sixth place respectively, but it was evident that they were lacking in top-speed.
Hamilton’s recent qualifying sessions have been less than stellar, adding to the challenges he faces on race day. In Zandvoort, he started from a disappointing 13th position, and in Monza, he could only manage an eighth place starting position. While he has been able to make up positions during the races and score decent points, it is clear that Mercedes is not leading the charge against Red Bull.
Hamilton acknowledged his struggles, stating, “Races are pretty straightforward for me. I’ve just got to do better in qualifying, so it’s not such a difficult day.” He also expressed his frustration with the current car, referring to it as the third-fastest on the grid. The pain of falling behind Ferrari and Red Bull is evident, and the team is counting down the days until they can make improvements for the next season.
In Monza, Hamilton opted for an offset starting tire strategy for the second race in a row. He was one of three drivers who chose the hard compound for their first stint. However, after making an unexpectedly early stop for mediums on lap 27, Hamilton questioned the decision as he had anticipated staying out for another eight laps.
His doubts about the tire durability were evident on the team radio, where he stated, “Now we’re screwed, I don’t know how these tires are going to last.” Despite his concerns, Hamilton managed his tires well and made his way through the field, overtaking Fernando Alonso, Oscar Piastri (with whom he made contact and received a five-second penalty), Lando Norris, and Alex Albon to secure a sixth-place finish.
When asked about the radio messages expressing his doubts, Hamilton clarified that he wasn’t upset but rather confused. He had been instructed to target lap 35 for his pit stop, but the team unexpectedly called him in earlier. Hamilton was concerned about the possibility of not making it to the end of the race, especially with the sizeable gap between him and the McLaren cars.
Despite the uncertainties, Hamilton took care of his tires, closed the gap, and engaged in an exciting battle on track. While the end result was not what Mercedes had hoped for, Hamilton’s determination and skill allowed him to salvage a decent finish.
Mercedes’ difficulties continued at Monza as Ferrari dominated the race weekend. Hamilton’s struggles in qualifying and the team’s third-fastest car on the grid posed challenges for the seven-time champion. However, Hamilton remained resilient, managing his tires and fighting his way through the field to secure a sixth-place finish. As Mercedes looks ahead to the next season, they are undoubtedly eager to improve their performance and regain their position at the top of the pack.
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