Hamilton’s Impressive Medium Tyre Pace in Miami Grand Prix Pleases Mercedes Team

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton showcased remarkable pace on the medium tyre during the Miami Grand Prix, pleasing Team Principal Toto Wolff. Hamilton’s transition to the medium compound saw him matching the lap times of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in the latter stages of the race.

Starting the race on the challenging hard tyre, Hamilton’s performance significantly improved after switching to the medium compound. Throughout a 25-lap stint on the medium tyre, Hamilton’s average lap time of 1:31.7 matched Perez’s pace on the same compound.

Wolff expressed his delight at the progress made by the Mercedes W15, as Hamilton’s pace proved competitive against the RB20 during the second half of the Grand Prix. Despite finishing sixth behind Perez, Hamilton’s performance on the medium tyre was a highlight for the team.

Reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of the W15, Wolff noted improvements in handling and high-speed performance. He highlighted the ongoing learning curve for Mercedes but acknowledged the encouraging signs of development.

In contrast, George Russell struggled with the hard tyre during the race, prompting investigations into the performance issues. Wolff agreed that the hard compound did not deliver the expected pace compared to the medium tyre.

Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin emphasized the challenges faced by Hamilton in overtaking Perez due to a lack of straight-line speed. Hamilton’s ability to keep his rivals within reach was praised, despite not being able to make significant gains in the final standings.

Hamilton, who has a close history with McLaren, celebrated Lando Norris‘ victory in Miami, acknowledging the significance of McLaren’s return to the top spot on the podium. The seven-time World Champion expressed his happiness for Norris and the McLaren team.