Mercedes W09 sidepod, Red Bull Ring, 2018

Hamilton excited by Mercedes’ “first real serious upgrade”

2018 Austrian Grand Prix

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Lewis Hamilton says he is eager to feel the performance benefit from the upgrade package Mercedes has introduced for its Formula 1 car this weekend.

Mercedes has brought heavily revised sidepods and new rear wing endplates for its W09 this weekend.

However Hamilton said he isn’t fully up to speed on the changes the team has made.

“I’ve not spent a lot of time talking to the guys about what the upgrades are,” he told media including RaceFans today. “I’ve heard it looks different. I know the guys have been working hard, I hope it’s a significant difference, I hope that it helps us.

“I’m excited because when you bolt something onto the car, [and] we haven’t really bolted [much] to the car this year, it’s one of the first real serious upgrades.

“It’s great when you get out there because you feel those couple of points straight away in a certain corner. You feel those improvements. I’m looking forward to the experience of it tomorrow and trying to figure out where those improvements are on the circuit.”

Hamilton said Mercedes has tried to focus on bringing upgrades only when they are certain they will provide a benefit, rather than rushing to bring many new parts for the car.

“The guys have been working harder and harder to make sure that we bring quality rather than quantity,” he said. “So it’s great to see some new bits here this weekend [that] we’ve decided to try on track.”

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16 comments on “Hamilton excited by Mercedes’ “first real serious upgrade””

  1. Archit (@architjain07)
    28th June 2018, 19:03

    That area above side pod odes look like Ferrari! Point to be noted: Quality over quantity! Sounds ominous as it means either no upgrades or upgrades like Engine 2.1 where Merc will gain 3-4 tenths right away! I really hope Ferrari and RBR make it count at Hungary, Singapore to make the championship closer! Looks more likely that Hamilton is going to run away with it

    1. @architjain07 Too early to jump to definite conclusions on the outcome of the Championship. Still, long way to go.

  2. Mercedes have copied Mclaren, LOL.

  3. Aguillera’s album and now the upgrade. Number one in the charts and a walk in the park for number one in WDC.

    Driver and rapper, he just need to be a movie star and there you have it, the new triple crown

    1. @johnmilk I’d suggest a role in Game of Thrones

      1. @br444m not a bad start, I bet he can get the triple crown first, grammy, emmy and oscar

        1. And then a nobel prize (peace, I’d say :), too keep it in style @johnmilk?

          1. @bosyber peace is a easy, even Obama has one of those

          2. So maybe for a challenge, literature for his songtexts then @johnmilk?

          3. @bosyber he can even start submitting the poem of the pipe

    2. Didn’t he play a small part in the movie Cars. Triple crown achieved.

  4. So the rearview mirror has 3 points where it is attached, isn’t that sort of overkill (just like the aerodynamic device Ferrari tried) and an attempt to steer the aero more than having a vibration free mirror?.. Just asking for a friend!.. LOL

    1. Guess that’s why they don’t add it to the halo; for now this is still allowed (is it still next year though?)

  5. Finally they brought big upgrade. It’s about time rbr now has a quali mode, and will get 3 tenths.

    1. Latest changes in Merz are only copies from Ferrari and Mc Laren.
      Once the car comes out, Brit will not be able even to start machine and some other teams will again have to push him because he will block those behind him like in France. .
      Ferrari is coming out with 6 more small upgrades but Brit will cry if he knows.

  6. a side by side comparison would be nice

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