Mercedes: Hamilton's Hungary pole proof of "enigma" of F1 ground effect cars
Mercedes has said Lewis Hamilton’s surprise pole position for Formula 1’s Hungarian Grand Prix was proof of the “enigma” of the current generation of cars.
Hamilton beat world championship leader Max Verstappen to the top spot on the grid at the Hungaroring, ending the Dutchman’s five-race run of pole positions.
And with Mercedes having struggled with car balance for much of the season, and having low hopes for this weekend's event, Hamilton’s shock effort has proved once again how difficult the 2023 ground effect machines are to understand.
Speaking after qualifying, which included Alfa Romeo’s securing its best grid slots for several years, Wolff suggested that the Hungaroring result was the latest evidence that the set-up compromises required for the current cars makes things almost impossible to predict.
“I think there's certainly a part of these ground effect cars being an enigma,” said Wolff.
“Performances seem to come and go for all the teams – and congratulations to Alfa: they are fifth and seventh on the grid. I don't think that they really much understand where that came from.
“Red Bull seem the only one who have really unlocked it and understanding what happens, and maybe McLaren now.
“But this is not something you can reverse engineer. This is something you just got to work at and come to the right conclusion.”
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG, is interviewed on stage
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Wolff believed that critical to Hamilton pulling off his first pole position since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was that the W14 finally gave him some confidence.
“The biggest weakness we have in the car is not a lack of downforce,” said Wolff. “It is that the car is unpredictable.
“The drivers never have the confidence of really pushing it hard in qualifying, and I think the car they had today was something that gave confidence and allowed them actually to push without thinking that it could step out on the entry and exit of the corner.
“This is I think the main area we need to work out, giving them a car balance that is just more predictable.”
Russell mistake
While Hamilton secured pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix, George Russell was left a disappointed 18th on the grid after failing to make it out of Q1.
Wolff said that Mercedes had to take the blame for what happened, with Russell having been put in bad traffic ahead of his efforts to get out of the session.
“I think Q1 was overall messy, not only for us, but for many others,” he said.
“There were just so many cars on a single piece of track, and we just put him in the wrong position. The first run was already compromised.
“Then obviously everybody bunching up in the last corner was far from ideal, we know that, and then there is no codex [agreement] anymore between the drivers, because he was overtaken by three cars between Turn 13 and Turn 14.
“That obviously completely screws your last lap, but we need to take it on us that we haven't put him in a better position.”
Magnussen in a “pickle” as Haas F1 development turns strengths into weaknesses
McLaren still anticipating low-speed struggle despite Hungary F1 qualifying result
Hamilton: Mercedes DRS request for Russell "made no sense" in F1 Japanese GP
Hamilton: Mercedes DRS request for Russell "made no sense" in F1 Japanese GP Hamilton: Mercedes DRS request for Russell "made no sense" in F1 Japanese GP
Alpine: Gasly/Ocon late switch in F1 Japanese GP right thing to do
Alpine: Gasly/Ocon late switch in F1 Japanese GP right thing to do Alpine: Gasly/Ocon late switch in F1 Japanese GP right thing to do
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Hamilton: Lack of rear downforce leaves W14 on "knife-edge" at Suzuka
Hamilton: Lack of rear downforce leaves W14 on "knife-edge" at Suzuka Hamilton: Lack of rear downforce leaves W14 on "knife-edge" at Suzuka
Hamilton: "Something's up" if Red Bull doesn't win F1 Japanese GP by 30 seconds
Hamilton: "Something's up" if Red Bull doesn't win F1 Japanese GP by 30 seconds Hamilton: "Something's up" if Red Bull doesn't win F1 Japanese GP by 30 seconds
The home crowd favourites seeking F1 British GP glory
The home crowd favourites seeking F1 British GP glory The home crowd favourites seeking F1 British GP glory
Hamilton suggests using AI to improve F1 steward calls after Verstappen mistake
Hamilton suggests using AI to improve F1 steward calls after Verstappen mistake Hamilton suggests using AI to improve F1 steward calls after Verstappen mistake
F1 drivers question tyre blanket ban sustainability claims
F1 drivers question tyre blanket ban sustainability claims F1 drivers question tyre blanket ban sustainability claims
Why the painful process of Mercedes’ F1 B-spec shift isn’t over yet
Why the painful process of Mercedes’ F1 B-spec shift isn’t over yet Why the painful process of Mercedes’ F1 B-spec shift isn’t over yet
BTCC Silverstone: Turkington wins as title fight goes down to Sutton and Ingram
BTCC Silverstone: Turkington wins as title fight goes down to Sutton and Ingram BTCC Silverstone: Turkington wins as title fight goes down to Sutton and Ingram
Video: Verstappen and Red Bull strike back at the F1 Japanese GP
Video: Verstappen and Red Bull strike back at the F1 Japanese GP Video: Verstappen and Red Bull strike back at the F1 Japanese GP
Autosport Podcast: F1 Japanese GP review
Autosport Podcast: F1 Japanese GP review Autosport Podcast: F1 Japanese GP review
Bagnaia 'cannot make mistakes' like India crash after MotoGP points lead slashed
Bagnaia 'cannot make mistakes' like India crash after MotoGP points lead slashed Bagnaia 'cannot make mistakes' like India crash after MotoGP points lead slashed
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.