Before the race Hamilton stated that he was far from happy with mistakes by his team that affected his qualifacation time. Said he wouldn't mention any more in public but there'd be some hard words behind the scenes.
there are 3 elements to consider: degradation in car performance or improvement at a slower rate compared to peers; poor race management and strategy; Hamilton.Can't believe that Merc will allow this to go unchallenged and their boffins will be working 24/7 to get it sorted. Will be an interesting season.
Not sure that Mercedes is the fly in the ointment rather than Hamilton. Is this what they call racing, where Bottas had to be given permission to pass Hamilton. He then goes on to beat him by almost half a minute, probably about a mile and a half.Can't believe that Merc will allow this to go unchallenged and their boffins will be working 24/7 to get it sorted. Will be an interesting season.
Then who is it down to when he gets beaten by half a minute by the second car, even then Bottas had to wait for permission to pass him.But is this down to Hamilton? Surely Mercedes wouldn't have given him a bumper new contract said to be worth £80 million if they felt his performances were on the wane. They have all the info and the latest technology to know what's going on and they're obviously keeping faith with Hamilton.
Might have been tyres, setup or for other reasons Mercedes want to keep to themselves right now. What is absolutely indisputable is that Bottas isn't on the same planet as a driver, so I'm looking for answers elsewhere. But no way would Mercedes commit to an £80 million contract if they felt Hamilton was on his way out. They have fallen astern of Red Bull behind the scenes and know that they haven't given Hamilton the tools he needs to deal with Max, who is a hell of a driver anyway and gives Hamilton a real battle on even terms.Then who is it down to when he gets beaten by half a minute by the second car, even then Bottas had to wait for permission to pass him.
Mercedes interests are in constructors points, driver points are secondary. Hence the permission to pass.
Life at the top is quite short as a top F1 driver, Vettal for instance is now way down the back of the field, maybe Hamiltons interests in his other business ventures, music and fashion are beginning to take long term priority. Can't see him wanting to be in the Vettal placings.
Incidentally Mercedes turned down point blank his requests for certain upgrades to the car.