Hamilton: Mercedes struggling to find ‘sweet spot’ of new F1 car rear

Lewis Hamilton has admitted that Mercedes is yet to find the “sweet spot” of the new rear-end on its W12 2021 Formula 1 car during pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Reigning world champions Mercedes bounced back from a disappointing first day of running at the Bahrain International Circuit on Saturday as the team logged more than double the amount of laps it managed on Friday between its two drivers on day two.

Hamilton did lose around 45 minutes of running in the morning when he suffered a slow-speed spin at Turn 13 and beached his new car into the gravel bed, but the seven-time world champion was able to get back out on track before handing over to teammate Valtteri Bottas, who went on to top the timesheets in the afternoon.

“Today I think the wind did a 180, so the track is a lot different,” Hamilton said as he explained how blustery conditions contributed to his spin that brought out the first red flag of the day.

“Some places you can push where you couldn’t yesterday, and it’s very gusty, as I found out into Turn 13.

“The rear doesn’t feel particularly great with this new regulation change, but we’re trying to find the sweet spot.”

The big talking point of Saturday morning

A spin into the gravel disrupted running for @LewisHamilton and @MercedesAMGF1, but they were back up and running soon after #F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/bmTXFa84YD

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 13, 2021

Despite Mercedes’ challenging start to 2021, Hamilton stressed there is no need to hit panic mode just yet.

“It’s day two of testing, we’re just focused on doing our job, so nowhere near at the moment,” he added.

“I think we’re just focusing on trying to understand the car. There’s no point in getting worried just yet.

“Everyone is focusing on their programmes, and that is what we’re doing.”

Hamilton will get another four hours behind the wheel of Mercedes’ W12 challenger on Sunday afternoon ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on 28 March.