1996 Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill believes Lewis Hamilton’s positivity following last weekend’s Spanish Grand is a “good sign” for Mercedes, given that the 38-year-old was highly critical of his team at the start of the season.
Mercedes claimed their first double podium since last season’s Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend, as Hamilton finished second with George Russell in third at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
It does appear that the team’s new concept is working and working well, as the Silver Arrows were comfortably quicker than Aston Martin and Ferrari.
Red Bull remain in a league of their own though, but Mercedes have at least proven that the W14 does have “potential”.
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The result saw them leapfrog Aston Martin in the Constructors’ Championship, with the Germans now being second behind the mighty Austrians.
Reflecting on the recent Grand Prix, Hill thinks the performance is certainly “encouraging” for the Brackley-based team.
“Mercedes showed in the race they’ve leapfrogged the threat from Aston Martin and Ferrari on a circuit where it really pushes the car’s ability to look after its tyres and have good aero balance and good aero performance. It’s shown that it has the potential there,” Hill said.
“All the circuits are different but Barcelona is one of those places that shows up pure performance, aero package and balance etc, which is why the Red Bulls were so dominant, or at least Max (Verstappen) was. So I think there are encouraging signs there for Mercedes definitely.”
Hamilton was also noticeably happier after finishing on the podium last Sunday, with the seven-time World Champion seemingly having a sense of belief about him once again.
Mercedes do appear to have finally listened to his ideas, after the Briton revealed to the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast in March that his feedback had been ignored.
With Hamilton having rewarded the team for listening to him, everything appears to be heading in the right direction once again, something Hill believes is a “good sign”.
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“Maybe this has unlocked more potential,” Hill added.
“But whether it’s able to unlock more potential to beat Red Bull is questionable because I think they are stuck with the fundamental chassis they have underneath [the car].
“To hear Lewis say ‘I’m enjoying driving the car’. That’s a good sign and an indication for him because he’s been saying, ‘I told you we should have done something earlier’. They have gone and done what he has been pleading with them to do and they have seen some progress, so well done Lewis.”