The Bahrain Grand Prix proved to be a challenging race for the team, as both cars encountered unexpected power unit temperature issues right from the start.
George Russell, who initially held a strong second position, eventually settled for fifth place. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton managed to advance from ninth on the grid to seventh, overtaking Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri along the way.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, encountered several setbacks throughout the race. Early on, he reported battery issues which affected his performance. He grappled with brake temperatures and even endured a broken seat. Despite these adversities, Hamilton maintained a positive outlook post-race, citing the underlying potential of the car.
Reflecting on his race, Hamilton expressed a mixture of frustration and optimism. He acknowledged the recurring technical issues that have plagued his team in recent years but emphasized a newfound sense of stability, describing it as a foundation upon which they can build and improve.
Throughout the race, Hamilton faced a series of challenges that hindered his progress. A dead battery led to significant derating on straights, causing him to lose ground against competitors, particularly the McLarens.
It took several laps to rectify this issue, resulting in a substantial time loss. Moreover, he grappled with brake overheating and overall subpar performance.
Despite these obstacles, Hamilton managed to find moments of enjoyment on the track. He capitalized on the undercut strategy to overtake Piastri and engaged in competitive racing towards the end of the race. However, his early setbacks meant he couldn’t fully capitalize on these opportunities.
Hamilton remains cautiously optimistic about the team’s prospects for the season, noting that they are in a better position compared to previous years.
While the Bahrain race highlighted areas for improvement, he believes they have a competitive car capable of challenging their rivals. He remains hopeful that with continued development, they can narrow the gap and consistently fight for top positions.