Hamilton/Russell, Mercedes: Success despite failure / Formula 1

Mercedes status after four World Cup 2024 races: No podium visits, best result 5th place for George Russell at the start of the season in Bahrain, 7th place in the middle World Cup for Russell, Lewis Hamilton is currently only in ninth place. World Cup due to an engine failure in Australia, its worst first part of a season in 18 years of Formula 1 racing, Mercedes is currently 4th in the Constructors’ Cup, just one point ahead of Aston Martin.

In Suzuka (Japan), the feelings from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia were confirmed: under very specific conditions or in a very narrow operating window, the Mercedes W15 shows an encouraging speed, only for the 26-year-old Russell and for Hamilton with 39 years old, it is very difficult to enter that window and stay there.

In the dialogue of a traditional Japanese doctor, Andrew Shovlin gives fans hope. Because the chief engineer of the Mercedes F1 racing team says: “At Suzuka we tried to plan a configuration that makes the behavior of the W15 more predictable.”

“We noticed that the car reacts very sensitively to changes in wind direction and slope temperature. In such conditions we quickly fall outside the optimal operating window and because of this we did not look good in the race.

“Even if the result in Suzuka does not promise that, we are making progress. The balance of the car was more stable and the drivers found it easier to work with the car.

“If you have a stronger base to work from, then it’s easier for pilots to get more out of the car. We learned a lot in Japan and we want to implement that in China.”

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Bulls Racing, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round
outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0