Hamilton knows "there is no short-term fix" for Mercedes problems
F1 News
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
Ahead of the Russian Grand Prix this weekend, Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton has explained that there "is no short-term fix" for his team's current deficit in pace compared to Ferrari, with the Silver Arrows having won just two out of the last seven races.
Most teams would bite your hand off for two wins in seven races, but with the level of dominance we've come to expect from Mercedes in the turbo-hybrid era since 2014, it is a cause for concern.
The German works team still holds a massive 133-point lead in the constructors' championship and Hamilton is 96 points ahead of third-placed Charles Leclerc (and Max Verstappen) but hasn't been performing optimally since the summer break, with Ferrari winning all three races since then.
With six races to go, it will take quite the effort the knock off Mercedes, especially in Russia, a track where they've won for the last five years.
"It is not my job to worry but we are conscious of the position we are in," Hamilton said on the dip in form from his team.
"There isn't a short-term fix but there are other areas we can do better in."
When asked if Mercedes are worried about their current situation, especially with Ferrari taking a one-two at a track where they were expected to struggle, Hamilton underlined that everyone within the team, including himself, still has room for improvement in the final six races of the season.
"There is no point worrying but I would say the last three races we haven't extracted 100% from the weekend and that is what we need to get back to.
"I can squeeze more out of the car, more out of myself - I haven't done a perfect lap yet this season. Remaining as the leaders is not an easy task so it is understandable that we will have dips.
"But I have 100% confidence in my guys. We are still the strongest team and while it has not been spectacular recently, we haven't been terrible.
"Even if this weekend does not go as planned, and the long straights are likely to suit Ferrari, it is not going to change my opinion as to what we will achieve moving forwards.
"I know we will make it difficult for every other team this year, next year, and potentially the years after.
"So, we are not going to give up. It is not part of our DNA and we will keep pushing."