Lewis Hamilton openly acknowledged Mercedes’ current car limitations after the Spanish Grand Prix, stating that while he and the team have made significant progress, more substantial upgrades are necessary if they hope to contend with Formula 1’s frontrunners.

The seven-time World Champion secured his best result of the 2024 season with a third-place finish, showing that Mercedes has indeed been improving, yet the gap remains evident.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took the victory nearly 18 seconds ahead, while McLaren’s Lando Norris clinched second.

Hamilton’s Concerns

Hamilton remains hopeful, but admits that without “bolting on” new components, closing the gap to Red Bull will be a challenge. “I think that’s the maximum the car has got at the moment,” he commented, acknowledging that the team is “always fine-tuning it with subtle changes” but noting the need for “extra bits” to truly compete.

The W5, Mercedes’ 2024 contender, appears to suffer from an “on-the-edge” balance. Hamilton explained that during practice, the car performs well under conservative conditions, but when drivers push hard for qualifying laps, its flaws become apparent. “As you start to really lean on it…we really struggle,” he noted.

Despite the challenges, Hamilton’s performance in Spain was among his most consistent of the season. Qualifying third, ahead of teammate George Russell, marked only the second time this year he has outpaced Russell in a qualifier. The performance was a morale boost for the driver, who aims to deliver steady results as he finishes out the season before a rumored move to Ferrari next year.

Russell’s Optimism

Meanwhile, teammate George Russell was upbeat about Mercedes’ performance trajectory. “It’s really exciting to see the progress we’ve made,” Russell said, highlighting that the team is now consistently fighting for front-row spots. Mercedes’ improvements seem to be particularly evident on long runs, which is promising for their race pace.

Russell’s comments align with Mercedes’ development approach. Team Principal Toto Wolff recently indicated that the team would bring new updates, including a critical floor upgrade, aimed at stabilizing the car. This addition was quietly introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix but was not formally documented with the FIA, as the changes were minor tweaks, skirting official notification requirements.

On Track Performance in Spain

During the practice sessions, Mercedes showcased what appeared to be promising pace. Hamilton led in FP2, while Russell noted that the team had achieved a favorable balance, especially in long-run simulations. Despite these gains, the Red Bulls remain the dominant force, with Verstappen still expected to turn up the pace for upcoming qualifiers and races.

Russell remains realistic but is encouraged by the advancements made in Barcelona, saying, “It’s been a while since we’ve been consistently at the upper end.” He believes that, with continued refinement, Mercedes can position itself as a formidable competitor. However, both Russell and Hamilton remain cautious not to underestimate Red Bull, which is expected to improve even further as the season progresses.

The Road Ahead for Mercedes

With a stretch of critical races on the horizon, Mercedes faces the dual challenge of maintaining its momentum and addressing Hamilton’s concerns about the car’s peak performance. Hamilton’s statements underscore the need for consistent upgrades, and the team seems committed to developing a car that can contend across diverse tracks.

Mercedes’ performance in the Spanish Grand Prix offers a glimpse of hope for Hamilton and Russell, but they’ll need more than incremental upgrades to close the gap with Red Bull and McLaren. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how Mercedes responds to the call for further innovation as they push toward podium finishes and the possibility of a stronger finish in the Constructors’ Championship.