Hamilton: Mercedes haven't cracked tyre 'mystery'

Joas van Wingerden Saturday 10 November 2018 12:04

Hamilton: Mercedes haven't cracked tyre 'mystery'

Lewis Hamilton admits that Mercedes are still wrestling with the "mystery" over their sudden loss of performance in Mexico as they look to wrap up constructors' championship glory at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Although Hamilton won his fifth world drivers' title in Mexico, Mercedes struggled, finishing fifth and sixth.

The Silver Arrows seemed to struggle with tyre life at altitude in Mexico City and a trip to Sao Paulo offers up similar challenges, although not as extreme.

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Mercedes topped the timesheets in FP2 at Interlagos, Valtteri Bottas pipping Hamilton by 0.003 seconds.

And the newly crowned champion admits that keeping tyres in the optimum window remains a challenge that Mercedes are trying to get on top of.

"I think some of it is still a mystery but I think there are a lot of areas that we have understood," Hamilton said.

Friday between the Lakes ???????? pic.twitter.com/wTHKRbkqFy — Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) November 9, 2018

"We are coming to another circuit that is quite hard on tyres, Brazil is always quite tough in that area but we have not been terrible here. I think this track does work quite well with a more nimble, shorter car.

"I'm hoping this weekend we can get the car into the right place and fight the guys, and the Red Bulls and Ferraris who have seemed to come back more into shooting range."

MORE: Bottas heads tight squeeze FP2 after Hulkenberg smash
MORE: Wolff: Bottas must prove he deserves victory

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