Mercedes reveals Hamilton had floor damage

  • Published on 17 Mar 2019 09:51
  • comments 6
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Mercedes has revealed that Lewis Hamilton was running with floor damage throughout the Australian Grand Prix.

The five-time world champion crossed the line in second place, 21 seconds behind teammate Valtteri Bottas. The Briton was beaten off the line by Bottas who started alongside him on the front row.

Bottas checked out and was untouched for the remainder of the race, while Hamilton came under pressure from Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the latter stages.

After the chequered flag, Mercedes revealed that Hamilton was missing a "chunk" from his floor.

“We have discovered damage to Lewis' floor at the region of the left-rear tyre seal (in front of the rear tyre) which will have exacerbated the challenges he had with the car balance,” confirmed a Mercedes spokesperson.

“A chunk of the floor is missing, not sure how or why at this stage.”

Speaking after the race, Hamilton admitted that he had an idea on where the pace went, adding that he would have to go through it with his engineers.

“I do have some ideas [on the pace loss] but I’ll wait to go over it with my engineers.

“Naturally it’s a little bit frustrating to lose position at the start when you’ve had a good weekend up until that point but that is how the game goes. I’ll just train and work hard to come back next time.”

"Things that you tell your star driver after he's nearly had his ears boxed twice in one race".

  • 2
  • Mar 17 2019 - 11:40

Replies (6)

Login to reply
  • "Things that you tell your star driver after he's nearly had his ears boxed twice in one race".

    • + 2
    • Mar 17 2019 - 11:40
  • RogerF1

    Posts: 501

    Possibly sabotage by Bottas’s pit crew?

    • + 0
    • Mar 17 2019 - 13:00
    • Or maybe he just drove over some debris. There were quite a lot of it after Ricciardo's off-road attempt.

      • + 0
      • Mar 17 2019 - 16:29
  • Don't believe it. I didn't see him venture off, or even close to an off. Didn't see him hit debris on track, his pace loss was as early as the 5-10th lap, he wasn't able to keep up with BOT. I don't get it?

    • + 1
    • Mar 17 2019 - 16:14
    • I didn't see it either, but considering we didn't really see much from Hammy during the race, especially on the start-finish straight, where most of Ricciardo's debris ended up, it is possible. I'm not sure what to believe either, but considering he wasn't involved in any incidents or so, that is the only explanation I can think of.

      • + 0
      • Mar 17 2019 - 17:58
  • I saw the pics. That would never have cost him that much speed

    • + 0
    • Mar 18 2019 - 19:15

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 23:03

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 23:03

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,377
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 208
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar