Source: Mercedes-Benz Archive

F1 News

Hamilton praises Mercedes engineers as team steal advantage away from Ferrari

Hamilton praises Mercedes engineers as team steal advantage away from Ferrari

23-09-2018 10:45
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Jake Williams-Smith

Lewis Hamilton has highlighted his Mercedes engineering team as a huge factor in the changing of fortunes in the championship battle against Ferrari. Hamilton added that the communication and rapport that he and the team enjoy has been massively beneficial in the title fight.

Ferrari has arguably had the better car more the majority of the season however it's Mercedes who top both championships, something that the championship leader believes is down to the atmosphere at the Mercedes team, his race engineer Pete 'Bono' Bonnington as well as the wider engineering team a key factor.

"I’ve had Bono by my side my whole time here at this team and you can hear our rapport when we’re in a race," Hamilton is quoted by F1i.

"All the guys are working tirelessly to make sure that the car is where I want it to be. They have full trust in me, (and) when I say ‘I need this on the car’, they do it.

"Honestly the set-up was great (in Singapore) – that’s why I was able to do (my pole lap). And the same in the last race. We’ve got to keep the same mentality and the same hard work process we’ve had."

Hamilton also pointed to the hard work behind the scenes outside of sessions that Mercedes has made the most of. He reasserted that there was a sense of belief that the Silver Arrows have finally found Ferrari's weaknesses and know how to exploit them.

"If you speak to the guys, I’m pretty sure they will tell you how important the debriefs have been," Hamilton explained.

"My communication, I would say with the debriefs, has been greater than it’s ever felt for me.

"I have tremendous belief in this team. I truly believe we are more united and I think I’ve got the smartest group of guys in my team.

"They’re bringing their A-game and I’m bringing my A-game. Unless you’re coming up straight with the A-game, the ace… that’s what we’re bringing every weekend right now."