Vowles: "Didn't have enough speed to keep up with Verstappen"

3172fab0ebd7de88d3ba4e8da11560d6e28b6c74

20:35, 30 Jun 2021

James Vowles has been explaining how Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton lost so much time to Max Verstappen during the last part of the Styrian Grand Prix.

Vibrations

For example, Hamilton complained about vibrations during the race. In the Youtube video on Mercedes F1's official channel, Vowles said: "It was due to two very different reasons. We had blisters on the front tyres. This was because the tyres were struggling and working at high temperatures. However, it's not something that could have been a problem or that we were concerned about."

Vowles continued: "On the rear tires, we had, as we call it, 'pick up'. Every car leaves rubber behind from the tires, and when we drive through that old rubber with hot tires, the tires get heavier and heavier and that causes vibrations."

Not the speed

So although Hamilton complained about this on the on-board radio, Vowles is honest about this argument: "So although we had two different problems with the front and rear tyres this wasn't really something we were concerned about, and to be honest this wasn't the reason Lewis lost so much time to Verstappen. We simply didn't have enough speed to keep up with him."

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	131
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	88
3	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	75
4	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	72
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	58
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	48
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	43
8	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	20
9	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	16
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	15
12	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	14
13	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
14	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	5
15	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	1
17	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	1
18	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
19	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
20	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
21	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0

Vowles: "Didn't have enough speed to keep up with Verstappen"

Vibrations

Not the speed

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

First F1 2021 ratings known: are there any surprises?

Bottas or Russell? "Some are whispering that decision has already been made"

F1 Today | McLaren unveils Monaco livery, brawl in the Monza paddock

Honda joins Mercedes and Red Bull Ford: engine deal one step closer

Five key talking points ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix

Why beating Leclerc in Monaco could be Hamilton’s biggest Ferrari statement yet

'The guy doesn't give up' - Pedro Acosta reflects on Marc Marquez battle in Mugello

Verstappen now has a clean slate ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix

McLaren delivers special 1000th Grand Prix livery for Monaco

Monaco Grand Prix weather forecast: Sunday rain could cause havoc

F1 Today | McLaren unveils Monaco livery, brawl in the Monza paddock

Honda joins Mercedes and Red Bull Ford: engine deal one step closer

Five key talking points ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix

Why beating Leclerc in Monaco could be Hamilton’s biggest Ferrari statement yet

Popular on GPBlog

Chaos in Monza: Brothers banned from paddock, pepper spray involved

Opening-lap carnage strikes GTWC Monza race in frightening pile-up

Norris crushes Leclerc's Monaco dream in pivotal 2025 title boost

Antonelli hints at possible Ferrari future: 'Never say never'

Season

First F1 2021 ratings known: are there any surprises?

Bottas or Russell? "Some are whispering that decision has already been made"