Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton felt disappointed with their Canada performance after finishing P3 and P4. Team Principal Toto Wolff, however, sees the positive side of their weekend.
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Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton felt disappointed with their Canada performance. Speaking to the media post-race, both felt that they should have given more to secure a double podium and a race win.
Russell’s Woes
After starting from pole-position for the second time in his Formula 1 career, Russell made a good start but lost out from a P1 finish after a lengthy battle with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
The British driver made mistakes that cost him positions and had a last-minute battle with teammate Hamilton to secure third place. This was Mercedes’ first race podium beyond Hamilton’s second place finish in the Chinese Sprint Race.
Despite his success, Russell shared how “it felt like a missed opportunity, to be honest. We were really quick at the beginning of the race on the [intermediate tyres], and then obviously Lando came through really fast and then we jumped back onto the slicks.
“[I] made a couple of mistakes out there just pushing the limits, paid the price for it but, nevertheless, first podium of the year. We truly had a really fast car this weekend, and to be back in the mix fighting for victory was really fun.”
While this heartache is understandable, he understands that this is “what Formula 1’s about and that’s why we go racing.”
Hamilton Heartache
Lewis Hamilton had his best race weekend of the year, maximising the speed and skill of a seven-time World Champion. He dominated FP3, leaving no driver able to catch up with him. Although a mistake in qualifying and disappearing grip saw him start from P7, Hamilton worked his way up to P3. However, in a last-minute battle with his teammate Russell, he ultimately lost the podium spot.
Hamilton thinks otherwise. Post-race he shared, “Over the weekend, it was a poor performance from myself. Yesterday… some other things came into yesterday but mostly myself. And then today, just one of the worst races that I’ve driven, lots of mistakes.”
He believes, “But of course, If I had qualified better I would’ve been in a much better position so. It is what it is. I’ll go back to the drawing board.” This is something for him to work on ensuring future podiums are gained.
Much like Russell, the downcast feeling is because “this weekend the car was capable of winning, that’s why it’s not such a great feeling. But we’ll take the points and keep moving, keep trying.”
With the pace the W15 showed in Canada, there is no reason to suggest that he is incorrect. If they keep up the hard work, race wins and consistent wins are in their future.
Wolff’s Optimism
Mercedes Team Principal and CEO understands the frustration of Russell and Hamilton after the Canadian Grand Prix. The German team were once the picture of dominance where no team could catch up to them. Recent seasons have seen the team struggle immensely, and this weekend proved wise for their future in the battle with Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.
Speaking after the race, Wolff proudly lamented, “When you finish third and fourth, where we have been coming from, is a positive race.
“Three and four are much better than what we had in the last few races. Both drivers saw that more was up for grabs and we could have gained a position or two, so maybe that is why a negative sentiment remains.”
To know they could have achieved more can only be a good thing for motivation. As Wolff understands it, “What could’ve been is not relevant. What’s most important is that we provide a quick car to the drivers.”
This bodes well for the future. Have Mercedes entered the title fight?
Image Credit: Mercedes
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