Lewis Hamilton gives blunt response to Mercedes ‘fourth fastest’ team assessment

Lewis Hamilton doesn’t see the significance of defining the place Mercedes are within the pecking order after George Russell referred to them because the “fourth-fastest group”.

Mercedes wished to be main the cost to reel within the dominant Crimson Bull group in F1 2024, however that ambition is but to be realised with the eight-time Constructors’ champions sitting a snug fourth within the standings and but to attain a podium.

Lewis Hamilton sees ‘no level, no motive’ to Mercedes fourth-fastest declare

Crimson Bull suffered a uncommon defeat in Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix as McLaren’s Lando Norris raced to victory for the primary time in his F1 profession, whereas for Mercedes, Hamilton’s P6 end and Russell’s P8 was the most effective they may handle.

That had Russell claiming that Mercedes are “the fourth-fastest group in the mean time”, as Hamilton was then requested for his response on that evaluation, one which he didn’t need to entertain.

Requested by media after the Miami GP whether or not he agreed with Russell’s declare, Hamilton replied: “I don’t know. I don’t actually see the purpose, the explanation, the significance of that.

“You’ve seen the place we certified, you’ve seen the place we’re within the championships. So make your assumptions from that.”

PlanetF1.com recommends

F1 2024: Head-to-head race statistics between team-mates

Lewis Hamilton hits undesirable milestone amongst longest win droughts for World Champions

Mercedes weren’t precisely out of the dialog in Miami although, Hamilton having fallen lower than two-tenths wanting denying Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz P5, with Crimson Bull’s Sergio Perez solely a few seconds up the street.

And in order that capability to maintain these rivals in his sights was a “nice feeling” for the seven-time World Champion.

“I had a great race in the present day,” Hamilton confirmed, “I didn’t have the tempo of the fellows forward of me, however I used to be simply in a position to maintain on with DRS.

“However, if it wasn’t for the DRS, they most likely would have…they did begin to draw back in the direction of the top.

“However nonetheless, to maintain them in distance is a extremely nice feeling. But in addition, I used to be on an offset tyre [strategy], however to not Checo although, so I used to be really on the identical tyre as him.”

Hamilton could be very acquainted with the Miami GP race-winning group McLaren, having begun his Formulation 1 profession there in a stint which lasted from 2007-12, Hamilton successful his first World Championship with McLaren in 2008.

So to see his former group again on the highest step of the rostrum went down very nicely with Hamilton.

“I had my first win with McLaren, so actually pleased to see McLaren again up there,” stated Hamilton. “The entire group has finished a tremendous job.

“I used to be with them from 13 years previous. So you recognize, so pleased, it’s nonetheless an enormous a part of my coronary heart there. So actually pleased to see them get again on the high and in addition dethrone the Bulls.

“After which Lando, I do know Lando fairly nicely, we’ve bought a peaceable relationship. I do know what it’s wish to get that first Grand Prix win and the way particular it’s. So, I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Hamilton has not tasted victory for the reason that 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Learn subsequent: What are Mercedes considering? Martin Brundle’s verdict as buyer group McLaren upstage engine provider