The 2024 Formula 1 season has been full of twists and turns, and one of the most intriguing storylines revolves around Lewis Hamilton’s performance at Mercedes. During the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton experienced a significant power loss, leaving fans and experts puzzled. In a recent interview, Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, shed light on the situation.
AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT – In China, Hamilton came second in the sprint. Three hours later he only qualified for 18th place on the grid. How is something like this possible?
Andrew Shovlin: We were no longer able to validate the changes we made between sprint and qualification in…
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) May 14, 2024
As per the recent X post of ‘Junaid#JB17’, “AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT – In China, Hamilton came second in the sprint. Three hours later he only qualified for 18th place on the grid. How is something like this possible? Andrew Shovlin: We were no longer able to validate the changes we made between sprint and qualification in…”
Mercedes, an eight-time Constructors’ champion, entered the 2024 season with high hopes. However, their campaign quickly turned into a battle with Ferrari for second place in the standings, while Red Bull dominated the field. Amidst this struggle, Lewis Hamilton found himself grappling with performance issues in his W14 car.
The Relations between Shovlin and Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton, known for his relentless pursuit of perfection, often clashed with Andrew Shovlin, the trackside engineering director at Mercedes. Shovlin was the only person Hamilton argued with when it came to performance-related matters. Their debates were intense, with Shovlin challenging Hamilton’s assumptions and pushing him to consider alternative approaches.
Shovlin’s mantra was simple: “You’re not always right.” Despite Hamilton’s persistence, he admitted that Shovlin’s perspective often proved correct. The two had known each other for 11 years and maintained a strong relationship, even though their discussions were frequent and spirited.
During one race, Shovlin was absent, and Hamilton felt the void. He missed their back-and-forth exchanges over the radio, where they dissected performance data and strategies. It highlighted the unique dynamic between the two—a blend of camaraderie, respect, and healthy disagreement.
While Lewis Hamilton’s power loss in China remains a topic of discussion, Andrew Shovlin’s insights provide valuable context. Their passionate debates contribute to Mercedes’ pursuit of excellence, even if it means challenging the star driver’s assumptions.
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