Mercedes Struggles in Azerbaijan: Russell Reflects on Challenging Friday Practice
Manish
The Mercedes team experienced a tale of two drivers during Friday's free practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. George Russell faced a series of setbacks, while Lewis Hamilton showed promising performance, setting the stage for an intriguing weekend ahead.
Russell's Challenging Day
George Russell's day was marred by technical issues, beginning with an engine change after FP1 due to an anomaly detected in the oil analysis. This precautionary measure delayed his participation in FP2. Despite the team's confidence that the removed engine can be reused, Russell's preparation for the weekend has been significantly impacted.
The British driver's woes continued with a sensor failure at the end of the session, initially mistaken for a water leak. Russell admitted to struggling with confidence in the car and finding the right tire window, leaving him looking to his teammate's performance for hope.
Hamilton's Positive Outlook
In stark contrast, Lewis Hamilton emerged from Friday's sessions with a sense of optimism. The seven-time world champion finished FP2 in third place, just 0.066 seconds behind the pace-setter Charles Leclerc. Hamilton expressed satisfaction with his day, noting consistent improvements in the car's setup without any setbacks.
While acknowledging the strong performance of Red Bull and Ferrari, Hamilton remained cautiously optimistic about Mercedes' potential for the weekend. He emphasized the uncertainty surrounding fuel loads and the typical performance jumps seen in qualifying, urging a measured approach to expectations.
Looking Ahead
As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend progresses, the Mercedes team finds itself in a mixed position. Russell will need to overcome his Friday setbacks and find more confidence in the car, while Hamilton aims to build on his promising performance. With the competitive landscape still unclear, both drivers and the team will be focusing on maximizing their potential in Saturday's qualifying session and Sunday's race.
