Published 16:50 IST, October 21st 2019
Lewis Hamilton: 2020 Mercedes F1 car needs more power and less drag
British racing driver Lewis Hamilton said that he wants less drag and more power from the 2020 Mercedes Formula 1 car admitting that it was not a great year.
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British racing driver Lewis Hamilton said that he wants less drag and more power from the 2020 Mercedes Formula 1 car admitting that it was not a great year for engine development by his team. Ferrari has outperformed Mercedes and is now regarded as the benchmark for straight-line performance. Hamilton said that he had complete faith in Mercedes which has become a clear weak point these days. He added that they have got enough time for the next year and he thinks it's not been a great year for them in terms of engine development.
Hamilton said the car is quite draggy
He said it a really hard time for the performers as they have been working hard as ever but are not that successful in that department. He said that the car is quite draggy. Hamilton said the constructors should put a little effort to reduce the drag a little bit and increase the power in the upcoming year. He also said that his team is fully confident to be able to make some sort of action in the next season. Hamilton admitted that during his race against Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari for second in the closing laps of the Japanese Grand Prix had realized him how far Mercedes currently trailed in straight-line performance.
Hamilton figured out that overtaking Ferrari was impossible
He figured out that overtaking the Ferrari was impossible even with the DRS, the tow, maximum power and everything with the Mercedes being on its fresh tyres. Hamilton added that the Ferrari is incredibly faster and it becomes really difficult even if the tires are new. Vettel also realized that he had been helped by the slipstreams from the cars that were lapping in the battle, but acknowledged that he had taken full advantage of the possibilities Ferrari's straight-line edge offered. He added that they have an advantage in a straight line. He also added that he tried to play that and it worked. He said that he tried to slow down at the areas he could afford to and pace up in the places leading onto straights.
Updated 17:32 IST, October 21st 2019