The Canadian Grand Prix qualifying session delivered exhilarating moments as Lewis Hamilton secured P4 but will start P3 credits to the penalty of the Haas driver, Nico Hulkenberg. However, his satisfaction was overshadowed by a critical assessment of Mercedes’ decision-making and strategy execution. As Hamilton poses hard-hitting questions about the blunders, Mercedes finds itself defending a nerve-wracking gamble.

Lewis Hamilton’s performance in qualifying for the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix left him with mixed emotions. While grateful for securing a spot on the second row, he voiced disappointment over the handling of Q2 and Q3 by Mercedes. Hamilton’s dissatisfaction with Mercedes’ approach focused primarily on its strategy during Q2. While most drivers switched to slick tires after a timed lap on intermediates, Hamilton chose to stick with the green Pirelli tires.

Describing the team’s decision as a gamble, he expressed as per Motorsports his belief that they failed to make the right call. Hamilton acknowledged that they only narrowly made it through Q2, but the challenges persisted into Q3.  “I don’t think we managed to make the right decision,” Hamilton stated, as quoted by Motorsport-total.com, highlighting the team’s struggle. “We just barely got through it,” he added with a deep breath. The subsequent Q3 presented further difficulties, as Hamilton and teammate George Russell ended up being the last drivers to hit the track.

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Hamilton questioned whether they should have ventured out earlier in Q3 to maximize their laps. The timing and temperatures proved to be significant obstacles throughout the qualifying session. Despite his criticisms, Hamilton commended the overall performance of the Mercedes team during the weekend, acknowledging the challenging circumstances they faced.

Mercedes’ Defence to Lewis Hamilton’s Doubts

Despite the challenges faced during qualifying, Mercedes acknowledges the difficult nature of the session and the need for improvement. Mercedes’ defense comes from Andrew Shovlin, head of the Mercedes action team. He explained, “It was a really difficult session. There was a tight window in the second session where some drivers managed to get the slicks to work. That meant we had a nervous couple of minutes where Lewis’ progression was in the balance.”

Shovlin further confirms Hamilton’s criticism, stating, “In retrospect, given the timing of the red flag and the weather, it would have been optimal to drive earlier and try again.” However, he emphasized the positives, saying, “Nevertheless, we can’t be too dissatisfied as both cars are in the top 5 at the end of a very difficult session.”

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While mistakes were made, the focus now shifts to maximizing race pace and putting pressure on rivals. With Hamilton starting P3 and Alonso P2 on the grid, the stage is set for an intriguing race at the Canadian Grand Prix.