Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher was hard at work in the simulator until late on Friday evening prior to the Spanish GP. This work enabled him to optimise the car as much as possible in preparation for Sunday’s F1 race.
Lewis Hamilton praised Mick Schumacher’s role in Mercedes’ double podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, thanks to the essential work carried out by the former Haas driver throughout the weekend.
The seven-time F1 World Champion finished second behind winner Max Verstappen from fourth on the grid, while team-mate George Russell worked his way through the field from 12th.
Mercedes had introduced a series of improvements at the Monaco Grand Prix, but had their first opportunity to establish a real correlation between the data and the track on Friday during free practice at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.
The W14 struggled to find its rhythm at first, but improved in the hands of Hamilton in qualifying. Team headmaster Toto Wolff even said that the Briton should have started on the front row alongside Verstappen’s Red Bull.
READ MORE: IndyCar champion says “Formula 1 is a joke”
“We have a great team with Mick”
Hamilton continually improved throughout the weekend, thanks to the work done at the team’s Brackley base, highlighting Schumacher’s contribution in his role as reserve driver, or at least that’s what the team seem keen to highlight.
“The car felt great,” said Hamilton, when asked how the improvements had gone.
MORE F1 NEWS: Hamilton “dream” now over
“On Friday, the balance was really difficult to find, it was completely out of the window. It was very difficult to drive, very unpredictable, and then we did a good job overnight.”
“We have a great team with Mick: he was back in the simulator on Friday night and did a great job. That helped us get on track on Saturday. We did a good job in trying to understand the different levels of support and in the race. […] For George to go from twelfth to third is quite simply remarkable. It’s a very good result for the team.” said Hamilton.
READ MORE: “Something big…” Aston Martin makes announcement
