Mercedes suffers terribly from a double DNF in Australia, claims Wolff
Mercedes suffers terribly from a double DNF in Australia, claims Wolff
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in action prior to retiring from the race with an engine problem. (Image: REUTERS/Scott Barbour via Pool)
MELBOURNE: At the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday (Mar. 24), Mercedes experienced their first double "Did Not Finish" at a Formula One race in over five years, adding to the already poor start to the season. Lewis Hamilton retired early, while George Russell crashed out late.
Russell skidded into the gravel at turn six and ended up crashing into a barrier at the finish of the race, while seven-time world champion Hamilton completed only 15 laps at Albert Park before rolling to a stop due to a power unit failure.
Mercedes have not experienced a double DNF since Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas had to withdraw from the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix due to technical issues.
Mercedes has now fallen to fifth in the constructors' championship behind leaders Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin after gaining 0 points in a race won by Carlos Sainz of Ferrari.
Head coach of the dejected team Toto Wolff told reporters, "Tough to take, super tough."
"And I would be lying if I said I was feeling upbeat and optimistic about the circumstances; instead, you must get past your persistently pessimistic thoughts and declare, 'We will turn this around.'"
"But today it feels very, very brutal."
After six world championships with Mercedes, Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025, and he might be counting down the days until he leaves.
Head coach of the dejected team Toto Wolff told reporters, "Tough to take, super tough."
"And I would be lying if I said I was feeling upbeat and optimistic about the circumstances; instead, you must get past your persistently pessimistic thoughts and declare, 'We will turn this around.'"
"But today it feels very, very brutal."
After six world championships with Mercedes, Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025, and he might be counting down the days until he leaves.
The British driver has never had a worse start to an F1 season, having only eight points from the opening three races.
One day after qualifying eleventh, his lowest finish at Albert Park since 2010, Hamilton suffered a setback on Sunday.
While he tried to remain optimistic and emphasize that things could be worse, he acknowledged that the challenges faced by Mercedes' W15 car were hard on the soul.
"I think for everyone in the team, when so much work is going on throughout the winter for everybody, you come in excited, motivated and driven, and then you’re with the mindset that you’re going to be fighting for wins," he said.
One day after qualifying eleventh, his lowest finish at Albert Park since 2010, Hamilton suffered a setback on Sunday.
While he tried to remain optimistic and emphasize that things could be worse, he acknowledged that the challenges faced by Mercedes' W15 car were hard on the soul.
"I think for everyone in the team, when so much work is going on throughout the winter for everybody, you come in excited, motivated and driven, and then you’re with the mindset that you’re going to be fighting for wins," he said.
"And then, clearly, that isn't true. After that, you think, "Okay, maybe second, third." No, it isn't true, and it falls a little bit farther. And you merely perform the actions. It's difficult."
Throughout the weekend, the Mercedes vehicles experienced handling issues, bouncing, and difficulties around fast turns.
Wolff stated that the crew was still baffled by the performance issues.
He continued, "We really need to dig deep."
Throughout the weekend, the Mercedes vehicles experienced handling issues, bouncing, and difficulties around fast turns.
Wolff stated that the crew was still baffled by the performance issues.
He continued, "We really need to dig deep."
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