Mercedes has faced a challenging 2024 season, but Lewis Hamilton is hopeful for a turnaround at the distinctive Monaco Grand Prix.
After Friday’s practice, Hamilton expressed optimism about the team’s performance.
Hamilton, a three-time winner in Monte Carlo, has not claimed a victory since 2021. Mercedes, too, has only secured one win in that period, and their struggles have persisted this season. Currently, they are fourth in the standings, trailing behind leaders Red Bull, as well as Ferrari and McLaren. However, Friday’s practice in Monaco brought a ray of hope for the team.
Speaking to the media, Hamilton was pleased with the day’s progress. He remarked, “Today has been our best on-track performance this season. The car felt great, and driving on this track is always a pleasure.”
Despite his satisfaction, Hamilton acknowledged the need for improvement in long-run performance, saying, “We still face some balance issues, but the grip and response from the car were surprising. It’s been a more enjoyable experience compared to the last two years. We need to maintain our short-run speed while enhancing our long-run pace and managing tire graining.”
Reflecting on his performance in the second practice session, where he placed second fastest, Hamilton added, “It’s hard to say if we’ve improved, but we have a lot of work ahead to ensure we can compete effectively in the race.”
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, who has secured pole position in every race this season, anticipates a challenge in Monaco. Red Bull has struggled with consistency on the track, and Verstappen expressed his concerns, stating, “The issues we’re facing are difficult to address. The bumps, curbs, and camber changes on this track are particularly problematic for our car, causing significant lap time losses. These aren’t problems we can fix with adjustments; it’s a design issue that we can’t change overnight. We’ll do our best to improve, but I don’t expect miracles.”
As the weekend progresses, both teams will be looking to overcome their respective challenges and deliver strong performances in one of the most prestigious races on the calendar.
