Lewis Hamilton details issues that killed Mercedes after miserable Abu Dhabi GP qualifying
Lewis Hamilton has admitted that Mercedes suffered from several problems after battling for pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Mercedes star pointed out that he was suffering from brake issues which were pulling the car in different directions.
Hamilton also revealed that the rebounding issues that plagued the team at the start of the season have returned. Hamilton was only fast enough for P5 on Saturday with both Mercedes three-tenths slower than Carlos Sainz's Ferrari.
The Silver Arrows pair were half a second behind Red Bull as Max Verstappen secured pole. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton said: "We thought it would be a tough race for us but throughout the weekend so far we didn't look like we were at eight tenths.
"It's a bit of a surprise in qualifying to be so far behind them, with six tenths just down the straight. Otherwise I'll give it my all and look forward to tomorrow's finish.
READ MORE: Wolff laments Mercedes qualifying disaster after 'toilet' comment
“Bounce is back with a vengeance. brake separate in brake temperature, so when you step on the brake, the car pulls in one direction.
"Like going into turn five, the car pulls to the right and it's a left turn so not ideal."
Hamilton still appeared to be in contention for provisional pole in Q3 before his car slid sideways on the exit of Turn 14, costing the Briton time. The disappointing performance comes a week after George Russell won Saturday's sprint race in Brazil.
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A day later, the former Williams driver won his first Grand Prix while Hamilton finished second. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has also hit back at the pace of the German manufacturer, saying the team have fallen behind this weekend.
He explained, "I just found out it's World Toilet Day, so it's a day to put in the toilet. I think we just haven't done the job. We backed up and they took a little step forward. We went with a high downforce, high drag concept to have a good race car for tomorrow. It was so slow on the straights that it didn't gave nothing.”
Lewis Hamilton has admitted that Mercedes suffered from several problems after battling for pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Mercedes star pointed out that he was suffering from brake issues which were pulling the car in different directions.
Hamilton also revealed that the rebounding issues that plagued the team at the start of the season have returned. Hamilton was only fast enough for P5 on Saturday with both Mercedes three-tenths slower than Carlos Sainz's Ferrari.
The Silver Arrows pair were half a second behind Red Bull as Max Verstappen secured pole. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton said: "We thought it would be a tough race for us but throughout the weekend so far we didn't look like we were at eight tenths.
"It's a bit of a surprise in qualifying to be so far behind them, with six tenths just down the straight. Otherwise I'll give it my all and look forward to tomorrow's finish.
READ MORE: Wolff laments Mercedes qualifying disaster after 'toilet' comment
“Bounce is back with a vengeance. brake separate in brake temperature, so when you step on the brake, the car pulls in one direction.
"Like going into turn five, the car pulls to the right and it's a left turn so not ideal."
Hamilton still appeared to be in contention for provisional pole in Q3 before his car slid sideways on the exit of Turn 14, costing the Briton time. The disappointing performance comes a week after George Russell won Saturday's sprint race in Brazil.
DON'T MISSLewis Hamilton escapes penalty after FIA investigation [INSIGHT]Lewis Hamilton has Max Verstappen and George Russell on revenge mission [ANALYSIS]Lewis Hamilton 'not happy' with Magnussen in Abu Dhabi practice [HOW]
A day later, the former Williams driver won his first Grand Prix while Hamilton finished second. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has also hit back at the pace of the German manufacturer, saying the team have fallen behind this weekend.
He explained, "I just found out it's World Toilet Day, so it's a day to put in the toilet. I think we just haven't done the job. We backed up and they took a little step forward. We went with a high downforce, high drag concept to have a good race car for tomorrow. It was so slow on the straights that it didn't gave nothing.”
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