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Jonathan Noble
Jonathan Noble
Edited:
The car of Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, on a truck

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates on arrival in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, wave to the crowd on the drivers' parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
A Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader on the grid for the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Gene Haas, Owner and Founder, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber and Andrea Stella, Team Principal, McLaren F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, arrives at the track

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Franco Colapinto, Williams Racing on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team, ahead of the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, wave at the crowds

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, embraces a trackside volunteer ahead of the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari and Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team,

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, climbs into his car

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Nara Smith and Lucky Blue Smith for Aston Martin Pirelli hot laps

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, talk in the Paddock

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team and George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team and Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team on the drivers parade

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Joe Rogan in McLaren garage

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Jenson Button, Sky F1 and Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders visit the Haas F1 Team garage

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Chef Gordon Ramsay ahead of an Aston Martin Pirelli Hot Laps experience

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Golfer Ian Poulter poses in front of the car of Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, on the grid with an engineer

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, on the grid with his engineer

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, removes his helmet

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team,

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Mechanics push Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, to his grid slot

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Mechanics push Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, to his grid slot

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Liam Lawson, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team, on the grid

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, the rest of the field a

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, the remainder of the field at the start

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, the rest of the field on the opening lap

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, runs wide as Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, spins and Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46, Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team VCARB 01 pass

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, as Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, runs off the circuit

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, spins as Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, runs wide

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, spins as Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, avoids him

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, Alex Albon, Williams FW46

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, retires from the race in the gravel after a spin

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, is given a ride back to the pits after spinning out and retiring from the race

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
The safety car Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, the rest of the field

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, the rest of the field on the opening lap

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24, battles with Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Alex Albon, Williams FW46, makes a pit stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20 after making a pit stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, leaves his pit box after a stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, makes a pit stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, leaves the pits after a stop

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, the rest of the field

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, battles with Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battles with Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates with his teammates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates with his team in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates with his teammates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, celebrates with his teammates in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, congratulate each other in Parc Ferme

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, lifts the trophy in celebration

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, lifts his trophy

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, lifts his trophy

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, celebrate on the podium with Champagne

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, sprays Champagne on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, cheer with their champagne bottles on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, celebrates on the podium with Champagne

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
The Champagne and trophy for Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, on the podium

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 1st position, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 3rd position, in the the post race press conference

2024 United States Grand Prix - Sunday
91

Mercedes has denied there is a “fundamental” problem with its Austin Formula 1 upgrade and plans to stick with it for this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.

The German manufacturer introduced a raft of aero changes for its W15 at the United States Grand Prix, but endured a tough weekend where both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton struggled with car characteristics.

And with the pair of them suffering costly near-identical spins at Turn 19 – Russell crashing off in qualifying and Hamilton putting himself out of the race – there were suggestions that the car developments had perhaps triggered some aero instability.

Hamilton himself reckoned that the upgrades could be to blame for the incidents, as he said the team needed to review whether or not to stick with them for this weekend’s race in Mexico.

But reflecting on the weekend, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said the problems that were encountered were not to do with the upgrade and were instead more based around the ride of the car on the bumpy track.

"I don't think we have a fundamental issue on the upgrade, very much,” he said. “My thinking is it's more interaction on aero and on mechanical stuff.

"Therefore we're going to continue with the upgrade. It makes no sense to not, because there's a lot of lap time you leave on the table.

“However, on the other side, you need to be very open-minded. George drove the July upgrade [in the race] because we didn't have the [new] floor, and that seemed pretty competitive.”

George Russell, Mercedes W15

George Russell, Mercedes W15

Photo by: Andreas Beil

While Mercedes plans to stick with its upgrade, the squad remains tight on spare parts after Russell’s qualifying crash.

And with only one of the new floors undamaged following that incident, the team looks set to split packages in Mexico.

“Clearly, we will be missing the floor that needs to go back to the UK and then be repaired for Brazil,” added Wolff. “So we'll be running the spare specification. 

“With Lewis, normally he would have all the parts, but I'm not 100% sure that he's keen on running that. So we're going to find out how we want to tackle that weekend.” 

Wolff thinks the key thing that Mercedes needs to understand from what happened in the United States was why it was quick on Friday, with Hamilton having been fast enough for sprint pole, and then faded for the rest of the weekend.

“We need to get on top of why do we have a car that on Friday is by far the quickest, before the [Franco Colapinto situation [with the yellow flag]. Lewis was four tenths up and he would have been quickest.

“Then on a Saturday, it's transformed. In the sprint race, we had a broken suspension. That's one explanation. We fixed that in qualifying, but nothing would go anymore, and we struggled to have pace.

“Then in the race was the incident [for Hamilton] in that corner that came out of nowhere. He was not pushing at all. And where I sit at the moment, it's 100% not Lewis's fault.”

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