P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Leclerc F1 clash damage derailed Japanese GP hopes, says Hamilton
The Mercedes driver had high hopes for the Suzuka race, aiming to capitalize on the team’s potential shown in practice with a new setup for the W15. However, a minor clash with Leclerc at the start of the red-flagged race led to car damage, causing excessive understeer. This prompted him to let teammate George Russell pass, who was quicker due to the understeer issue. Despite struggles, Hamilton admitted the car did not meet his expectations during the race. Mercedes’ disappointing weekend was attributed to a poor qualifying performance, preventing them from challenging for a podium position. Despite the setbacks, the team sees the weekend as a valuable learning experience to improve the performance of the W15.
