The first piece of business in this action-packed Sprint weekend format was concluded with the qualifying sessions for the main race. The first racing action not only brought excitement and a unique scenario but also some insight into the grid dynamics for the race. Apart from grid dynamics, the 2023 US GP qualifying session gave us some insight into the Mercedes and its progress. Or it could have if the Mercedes men Lewis Hamilton and George Russell did not contradict themselves.

Since the start of the 2022 season, the biggest cause of Mercedes‘ misery in the sport has been their troubled challenge. The team back in Brackley has worked tirelessly to improve and they have made some breakthroughs. Now, at the US GP, even though Hamilton secured a P3 and Russell went fifth fastest in the qualifying, the opinions of the two drivers were contradictory.

What does Lewis Hamilton feel about the W14 upgrades for the US GP?

The Brit has been the most vocal critic of the Mercedes challenger since the start of the 2022 season. In fact, it was his complaints that put Mercedes on this developmental path because of which they have secured positive results. However, after the latest qualifying session where he could’ve secured pole position, the Brit is a delighted man and has made a hugely positive statement in a long time.

“I don’t know really if it’s a signifier of anything for next year but, as we continue to experiment, we get more and more knowledge of where we’re going, and where we are routing the flow of the car,” he said.

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“But this is an improvement. This is one of the first upgrades that I’ve actually felt over the last two years. So that’s a positive, and we just need two or three times of this step to put us in super competitive mode, which I believe the guys can do,” the 38-year-old added.

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This positive update from Hamilton showcases Toto Wolff and Co. are on the right path and the fans are starting to hope again as well. However, the feeling on the other side of the garage is completely opposite.

George Russell contradicts Hamilton’s positive statement about the W14 upgrade

Hamilton was extremely positive after the qualifying session but there was a cloud of gloom on George Russell‘s side of the garage. Even though the young Brit qualified P5 for the main race, he did not feel as great in the car as his teammate. In fact, according to Russell, he had an extremely challenging day.

In the post-qualifying interview, Russell said, “For me it’s been a really challenging day. I’ve been off the pace don’t really know why.”

“I can feel the improvements [in the car] but it’s been a bit of a strange day for me so I’m actually pretty pleased with P5 because at some points it was looking like we may not even be through to Q3,” concluded the 25-year-old.

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This is probably what they mean when they say a car is built according to a driver’s preference. So as of right now, it’s Hamilton, Mercedes is putting their money on or it is just the new floor jitters? Get it.. the porpoising?