Things are getting better for Mercedes after their struggle at the start of the 2023 season. Since bringing their upgrade package to Monaco, Mercedes have achieved podiums in Spain and Canada. However, Lewis Hamilton explained after the Canadian GP why they still cannot catch up with Red Bull and Aston Martin.
Hamilton had a pretty decent Canadian GP himself. The Briton started from P3, behind Fernando Alonso, but quickly overtook the Spaniard at the start of the race. Heading out of Turn 2, Hamilton was already ahead of Alonso.
Another podium. Another record breaking number. 🏆
194 podiums to the most successful driver.
Record of 193 podium previous held by himself. pic.twitter.com/BHqp6Z9t88— deni (@fiagirly) June 18, 2023
However, Alonso slotted in behind Hamilton and followed him closely. Finally, on lap 23, Alonso made a brilliant move on the back straight and overtook Hamilton for second place. Hamilton held on to P3 and took the final podium place at the end of the race.
Lewis Hamilton talks about the performance of his Mercedes
After the race, Hamilton spoke to Sky Sports F1 and revealed the areas Mercedes currently lacks. He explained that the W14 is particularly sluggish in the low-speed corners, making it difficult to keep up with Alonso during the race.
Hamilton said, “We just need to work on the performance of the car, particularly at the rear. That’s the biggest weakness. Particularly in low speed, I couldn’t keep up with those guys.”
#CanadianGP 🇨🇦: Lewis Hamilton: “ Overall I think we did a better job than everyone else so I’m happy with that. We just need to work on the performance of the car, particularly at the rear. That’s the biggest weakness, particularly in the low speed, I just couldn’t keep up.”
— deni (@fiagirly) June 18, 2023
Hamilton also pointed out the same thing during the post-race interview with Jenson Button. He claimed that he was struggling in the low-speed corners, and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has many of them. Hamilton commented that he was not getting traction from the slow corners.
George Russell’s disastrous Canadian GP
Even though Hamilton had a brilliant drive, things were gloomy elsewhere for Mercedes. George Russell started the Canadian GP from P4 right behind Hamilton and managed to hold his position.
However, he had a massive shunt into the wall outside Turn 9 on Lap 12, leaving him with front wing damage and a rear right puncture. The Safety Car was put out immediately, and Russell limped back to the pits.
¡¡¡SAFETY CAR!!!
Accidente de George Russell.#F1 #CanadianGP 🇨🇦pic.twitter.com/UO8gAI5Q0r
— Fórmula Directa (@FormulaDirecta) June 18, 2023
The pit crew fixed his front wings, changed his tires, and sent him back out again. After coming out in P19, Russell made a brilliant recovery drive, and by lap 40, he was already on the tail of Alex Albon, fighting for P7.
However, his race soon ended when the team noticed an issue with Russell’s brakes on lap 55. He was called into the pits and had to retire his car, bringing his Canadian GP to an end. However, Mercedes would definitely be content with how things fared for them, apart from Russell’s woes.
