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Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton reckons that the team's 2019 challenger, the W10, is "the best car" that they have ever made in Formula 1.
The comment comes in light of a record-breaking start for the team after five one-two finishes in the opening five races.
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Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas has finished in either first or second out of the first five races of 2019, with Hamilton taking three wins, and Bottas two so far.
Bottas took pole position in the recent Spanish Grand Prix, but a poor getaway handed Hamilton the advantage at lights out and what proved to be the race win.
“Ultimately, it's a fantastic car,” Hamilton said. “It's just the working window that I'm in, with my driving style, it's not always doing what I want it to do. But it's the best car we've made up until now.
“I've generally struggled with the car from Australia really. My qualifying in Australia [to take pole] was just okay – I was only a tenth ahead. But when I get things right, it should be different to that.”
Teammate Valtteri Bottas has also taken comfortably to Mercedes' 2019 challenger, after taking three pole positions and two wins as opposed to his 2018 campaign.
Last year saw him fail to win a single race over the course of the season, and now he trails Hamilton in the championship by just seven points going into round six at Monaco next weekend.
“Valtteri's settled nicely into the car, he's quite happy,” Hamilton added. “I don't know if it's driving style yet, I'm still looking into it, but there are definitely areas, and of course I will continue to focus on that at the factory, and this week, I'll be dialling in to try to really understand."
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C. Sainz jr
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Replies (8)
Login to replyRogerF1
Posts: 501
And would expect so at €250M each
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Hard to not argue
boudy
Posts: 1,168
It's an mute point. Since this really counts for all 3 top teams, the 2019 cars are now setting new circuit fastest laps almost every race.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
That’s an interesting point in as much as the top cars are getting faster (overall, not just Merc) but the competitive racing amongst those six has not got any better. Yet look at the field below, a lot more wheel to wheel stuff.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Toto the other teams are faster Ferrari is more powerful. We are faster on the slow corners. HMMMM .More HP perhaps. Could MB bebe changing the perceived voltage on the fuel flow meters perhaps in Q mode boosting pressure to increase fuel for the short run then save to make it to the end? Bosch and VW did it. MB shuts down everyone who comes up with a matching solution. Perhaps the Fia puts their own meter in as well. Just saying. All this talk about execution other teAms better best car ever seems to keep everyone from looking at the smoke.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
That'd lead to fast straights, Mercedes are good everywhere. Straights, fast corners, slow corners.
skeleratis
Posts: 6
Hamilton might be out of contract next year. I think he'll renew to get his 8th WDC in 2021........bit boring to you but it would beat even Schumacher's 7x WDC. Hamilton, no matter how much I dislike him, is a legend, statistically
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I believe him. Ferrari have the straights, Red Bull have the corners Mercedes have both. This car is a beast with no apparent weaknesses.