During the first free practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton shared a concerning radio message with his Mercedes team. He mentioned that he was experiencing pain while driving due to bouncing issues on the track in Sao Paulo. Throughout the session, Hamilton struggled with the bouncing, and it became more serious towards the end.
The Mercedes team was not immediately sure what was causing the problem for Hamilton, and they were awaiting his explanation when he returned to the garage after the session. It is speculated that the issue may be related to the ride quality, as Hamilton had expressed that he was bouncing across the track during the session.
Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, also faced similar challenges during the practice session. Despite the bumpy ride, Russell managed to finish the session as the second fastest driver. On the other hand, Hamilton finished in P16 and did not complete a lap on the soft tires. The track has been resurfaced for this season’s event, which could be a contributing factor to the bouncing issues faced by the drivers.
The Mercedes team will need to analyze the data from the practice session to understand the root cause of the problem and make necessary adjustments before the upcoming sessions. Hamilton’s discomfort and struggle with the bouncing highlight the physical demands and challenges that Formula 1 drivers face during race weekends. As the team works to address the issue, Hamilton will be looking to bounce back and put up a competitive performance in the subsequent sessions and the race itself.