Shovlin after qualifying: 'Others take advantage and we stand still'

After the disappointing qualifying of Lewis Hamilton in particular in Miami, Mercedes are once again unhappy with the car. It seems the car only performs well when the track is at its worst. Andrew Shovlin explains Mercedes' situation. He does so in the Mercedes press release in Miami after qualifying.

"Clearly, we've not got the measure of this track. We started the weekend well when the track was at its worst, but as the circuit has gripped up it feels like others are getting the benefit and we've stood still." Those are harsh words from Mercedes' chief engineer. The Brit explains the plans for Sunday's race.

"After the interrupted sessions, it's impossible to know where everyone is going to fall out so tomorrow will be one of those races where we're very much forming the plans as we go." Shovlin said. George Russell will start tomorrow from sixth place while Lewis Hamilton will have to make do with a place on the seventh row of the grid. He will start from P13.

Despite Hamilton's low ranking and Russell's P6, Shovlin does not necessarily see things looking bleak. "We'll put all our energy into preparing for the race now. The grid is mixed up so that may help us find opportunity to move forward sunday."