© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Lewis Hamilton says he experienced worse bouncing than George Russell at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, because he ran “an experimental part” and “the different rear suspension”.
At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton experienced heavy bouncing that made it difficult for him to even get out of his car at the end of the race.
After the race the Briton explained it was physically the most difficult race he has ever participated in.
“I’m happy it’s over,” Hamilton said.
“That was the most painful race I’ve experienced, the toughest race I’ve experienced.
“The worst was at the beginning of the race. It got a bit better in the corners towards the end but down the straights still just as bad.
“There were a lot of moments where I didn’t know if I was going to make it. One, whether I was going to keep the car on track as on the high speed I nearly lost it several times. The battle with the car was intense.
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“The thing was bouncing so much there were so many times I was nearly going into the wall. That was a concern safety-wise — 180mph smashing into the wall.
“I don’t think I’ve ever really had to think about that as a racing driver, keeping it out of the wall at that high speed. Very strange experience.
“I’ve been doing cryotherapy and you go in there for four minutes and it’s bloody cold — same sort of thing, just biting down and just gritting with it.
“I have to think of all the people that rely on me to get those points, so that’s really what I was focused on. But this is definitely the worst for me — haven’t had it this bad this year.”
Lewis went on to explain that he was running an experimental setup, different from his team-mate George Russell, who wasn’t as affected by bouncing.
“Honestly, George didn’t have the same bounce I had. He had a lot less bouncing. Yesterday I lost 0.35s to him on the straights, I had an experimental part on my car and the different rear suspension. Ultimately it is the wrong one.
“George hasn’t had it as bad today—10 years younger back than mine,” Lewis joked.
Lewis then hinted that George’s appeals for an emergency rule change that would stop the bouncing might have been successful.
“All the drivers together are discussing it in the briefing. Ultimately, none of us wants to have the bouncing for the next four years of the regulation.
“So I’m sure the teams will be working on it,” Hamilton concluded.
