Wolff acknowledges waning fascination with Mercedes in first practice session at Italian Grand Prix
Mercedes Faces Straight-Line Speed Issue as Hamilton Shines in Italian Grand Prix Free Practice
Lewis Hamilton demonstrated a dominant performance in the first free practice session at the Italian Grand Prix, following his Monza penalty. The seven-time World Champion topped the leaderboard, responding to his recent setback with a strong showing.
However, Mercedes is reportedly struggling with straight-line speed during the practice session, according to team principal Toto Wolff. This issue could potentially impact their performance in the upcoming races.
George Russell, Hamilton's teammate, was unable to complete the end of the session due to a hydraulic problem. His car's engine was shut off to protect it from further damage. The issues with Russell's car are suspected to be a calibration error from Mercedes, although the exact cause is yet to be confirmed.
Despite these challenges, Valtteri Bottas will continue to drive for Mercedes in the 2022 season. His contract extends beyond next year, while Russell's contract status beyond 2022 is unclear. If Russell does not receive a contract extension for the 2023 season, Mercedes currently has no confirmed replacement.
Rumors suggest that the driver lineup may remain Russell and Kimi Antonelli, as Mercedes has not officially changed their driver pairing beyond 2025. Notable other driver options like Valtteri Bottas, who is Mercedes' reserve driver with experience on the 2026 car, or Mick Schumacher linked to other teams, have been discussed. However, no definitive Mercedes candidate has been announced.
Toto Wolff admits that the issues with George Russell's car during the first free practice session at the Italian Grand Prix may indicate larger problems for Mercedes. He suggests that the team may be facing more issues beyond Russell's retirement in the session.
As the Italian Grand Prix approaches, Mercedes will need to address these issues to maintain their competitive edge. Hamilton's strong performance in the first free practice session offers a glimmer of hope, but the team's straight-line speed disadvantage could prove challenging in the races to come.
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