Lewis Hamilton Finishes Fourth At Sunday’s Belgian GP, Complains About Bouncy Car
Giancarlo Perlas July 30, 2023The recently concluded Belgian Grand Prix saw Lewis Hamilton facing a daunting challenge as he battled with a bouncy Formula 1 car. This issue isn’t entirely new for Mercedes-AMG Petronas, as it had grappled with similar difficulties during the previous season. Despite securing a respectable fourth place at the Belgian GP and claiming the fastest lap bonus point, the Mercedes F1 driver expressed concern over the recurring problem that plagued his performance throughout the race.
Past Bouncing Issues Haunt Mercedes
Mercedes, a former frontrunner in F1, endured a difficult 2022 season when its cars experienced major ‘porpoising’ or bouncing issues. The team’s ‘zero-pod’ concept faced challenges in extracting optimal performance from its vehicles.
Although its engineers made substantial mid-season alterations to the W14’s design, Hamilton’s recent comments at the Belgian GP indicate that the problem may not have been entirely resolved.
Hamilton’s Struggles and Resilience at the Belgian GP
The seven-time world champion’s performance at the Belgian GP showcased both his tenacity and the hurdles he faced on the track. Throughout the race, the veteran driver found it challenging to keep up with the leading cars due to rear-end issues, which were exacerbated by the bouncy nature of the car.
Amid the challenges that the Briton stated in his post-race interview with Sky Sports, he managed to maintain a decent gap from the competitors behind him and secured the fastest lap. Overall, these are a testament to his unwavering determination.
Mercedes Puzzled over the Bouncing Issue Experienced at the Belgian GP
Mercedes’ engineering team finds itself baffled by the reappearance of the bouncing problem in their F1 car. Hamilton reported experiencing the issue throughout the Spa lap, indicating that it is widespread and requires immediate attention.
The team plans to thoroughly analyze the data and delve into potential solutions during the summer break, aiming to resolve the problem before the next race according to the source.
Championship Standings and the Way Forward
Despite the bouncing challenges, Hamilton’s fourth-place finish and bonus point have kept him in the race for the third position in the F1 world drivers’ championship, trailing just behind Fernando Alonso and the Red Bull drivers.
Meanwhile, his teammate, George Russell, settled in the sixth place of this Sunday’s race. Despite failing to get the podium at the Belgian GP, the scores that both Mercedes drivers acquired contributed to further secure the team’s place at the second post of the F1 Constructors’ Standings.
As the team continues to work tirelessly to identify and address the issue, Hamilton remains hopeful for a resolution and looks forward to future races with the aim of closing the gap on the championship leaderboard.
