P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton admits there is “disappointment” within the Mercedes team after ending Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix further behind Red
Mercedes is undergoing a major transformation with its 2024 car, the W15, in an effort to close the 451-point gap to the reigning champions from the previous season. Both drivers were pleased with the new upgrades during testing, leading to a 1-2 finish in FP2 and a third-place grid position for George Russell. Although Max Verstappen secured pole position, he dominated the race, finishing 22 seconds ahead of his teammate, Sergio Perez. Hamilton expressed disappointment with the team’s performance, acknowledging the need for improvement in various areas. Despite a reliable car, Hamilton struggled to make progress during the race and recognized the challenges he faced. Issues with cooling led to a miscalculation by Mercedes, resulting in both drivers having to conserve energy during the race. Team Principal Toto Wolff admitted that Mercedes’ pace was not up to par, as they found themselves behind Red Bull and Ferrari, prompting the team to analyze and seek improvements.
