Mercedes’ George Russell being escorted out of his car after his accident in Australia (Credit: AFP)
Seven-times world champion Hamilton lasted 15 laps at Albert Park earlier than rolling to halt with an influence unit failure, whereas Russell took a skid into gravel at flip six earlier than smashing right into a barrier on the finish of the race.
With Lewis Hamilton retiring early and George Russell crashing out late, Mercedes suffered their first double ‘Did Not Finish’ at a Formula One race in over 5 years on the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, piling on but extra early season gloom.
Seven-times world champion Hamilton lasted 15 laps at Albert Park earlier than rolling to halt with an influence unit failure, whereas Russell took a skid into gravel at flip six earlier than smashing right into a barrier on the finish of the race.
It was the primary double DNF for Mercedes since Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas retired with technical troubles on the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix.
With zero factors taken in a race received by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Mercedes have now slumped to fifth in the constructors’ championship behind leaders Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Aston Martin.
“Tough to take, super tough,” downcast workforce boss Toto Wolff instructed reporters.
It was the primary double DNF for Mercedes since Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas retired with technical troubles on the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix.
With zero factors taken in a race received by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Mercedes have now slumped to fifth in the constructors’ championship behind leaders Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Aston Martin.
“Tough to take, super tough,” downcast workforce boss Toto Wolff instructed reporters.
Hamilton’s setback on Sunday got here a day after qualifying eleventh, his worst at Albert Park since 2010.
He did his greatest to placed on a courageous face, saying issues might be worse, however admitted the struggles of Mercedes’ W15 automotive have been powerful on the spirit.
“I think for everyone in the team, when so much work is going on throughout the winter for everybody, you come in excited, motivated and driven, and then you’re with the mindset that you’re going to be fighting for wins,” he added.
“And then obviously that’s not the case. And then you’re like, ‘OK, maybe second, third’. No, it’s not the case, and it cascades a bit further down. And you just go through the motions. It’s challenging.”
The Mercedes vehicles ran cold and warm by way of the weekend, with dealing with issues, bouncing and hassle at excessive-velocity corners.
Wolff stated the efficiency issues have been nonetheless mystifying for the workforce.
“We’ve got to really dig deep,” he added.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)
