Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen had differing fortunes in Baku (Image: Getty)
Hungarian GP: Hamilton Unhappy with Mercedes Setup After Disappointing Friday Practice
Lewis Hamilton’s quest for an eighth Hungarian Grand Prix victory got off to a rocky start on Friday. The Mercedes driver expressed his disappointment with the car’s setup following a challenging practice session in Budapest.
Hot weather conditions often expose car weaknesses in Formula 1, and the Hungaroring circuit under the Hungarian sun proved no different for Mercedes. The W14, which has shown signs of improvement in recent races, appeared to struggle significantly.
Friday Frustrations for Hamilton
Hamilton, a master around the tight and twisty Hungarian track, was unable to find his usual rhythm. Rain hampered the opening practice session, preventing him from setting a time. In the crucial second session, limited to just one set of medium tires, Hamilton could only manage a lowly 16th place finish.
Speaking to the media after the session, Hamilton minced no words. “It was not good at all,” he said about the car’s performance. “It was feeling like the car at its worst today.”
Hope for Improvements
Despite the frustrations, Hamilton remains optimistic about Mercedes’ ability to turn things around. Referencing a similar situation at the 2023 Hungarian GP, where Mercedes made significant setup changes to improve performance over the race weekend, Hamilton offered a glimmer of hope.
“Last year it felt terrible at the beginning, and we turned it around with some set up changes,” he said. “So we will work on that tonight, and hopefully it will feel better tomorrow.”
Russell Cautiously Optimistic
Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, also faced challenges on Friday. While he managed to set a time in the rain-affected FP1, finishing fastest, his FP2 run resulted in a 20th place finish. However, Russell believes Mercedes’ true pace is better than what Friday’s times suggested.
Can Mercedes Bounce Back?
Mercedes has shown impressive fight throughout the 2024 season, clawing their way back into contention with Red Bull and Ferrari. The Hungarian GP presents a unique challenge, and their ability to adapt their setup to the Budapest heat will be crucial.
Qualifying on Saturday will be a significant indicator of Mercedes’ progress. If Hamilton and Russell can climb the grid order, it could be another exciting weekend battle in the fight for the championship. But if Friday’s struggles persist, their hopes for a strong showing in Hungary could fade quickly.
