Hamilton Baffled by McLaren's Fading Pace in Mexico, Raises Major Questions

Lewis Hamilton, after finishing fifth in FP2 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, admitted he was surprised by Ferrari's pace and, more notably, McLaren's unexpected drop-off. Despite his own car's struggles with grip, Hamilton remains optimistic about Mercedes' potential for improvement and is keenly watching McLaren's performance.

Why it matters:

• The fluctuating performance of top teams in FP2 signals a potentially unpredictable qualifying and race weekend in Mexico.
• Hamilton's comments highlight the fierce competition and the constant quest for optimal setup, particularly at challenging high-altitude circuits like Mexico City.
• McLaren's perceived loss of pace, if sustained, could have significant implications for their battle against rivals, especially given their recent strong form.

The details:

• Hamilton's FP2 Performance: Hamilton secured fifth place, expressing surprise at how close Mercedes was despite the car feeling less than ideal. He noted the pervasive lack of grip due to the high altitude, making the track feel like "lower than Monza" in terms of downforce.
• Car Balance Issues: Hamilton described his car's balance as "very open" and "sliding around a lot," indicating a need for significant setup changes overnight to find a more "streamlined" balance.
• Ferrari's Pace: The seven-time world champion was taken aback by Ferrari's strong showing, signaling their competitive threat for the weekend.
• McLaren's Mystery: Hamilton specifically mentioned seeing GPS data for one of the McLarens, noting they "lost a bit of time in the high speed." He was "baffled" by their fading dominance, stating, "I don't know where they've lost their pace."
• Overnight Adjustments: Mercedes plans to thoroughly analyze data to make informed decisions on setup changes, with Hamilton asserting, "I definitely don't want to race what we had today." He believes there's "more pace in the car" to be unlocked.

Between the lines:

Hamilton's observations about McLaren's sudden dip in form are particularly telling. Coming off a strong run of races, any significant loss of performance from McLaren could shift the dynamics in the constructor's championship and driver's standings. His 'baffled' reaction suggests that this isn't a typical fluctuation, but rather an unexpected puzzle that even a seasoned driver like Hamilton finds peculiar. This could either be a temporary blip or a sign of deeper setup challenges for McLaren at this unique circuit.

What's next:

• All teams will be working intensely overnight to optimize their car setups for Saturday's FP3 and qualifying sessions.
• The crucial question will be whether McLaren can recover their lost pace, and if Mercedes can translate their potential into a stronger performance.
• Hamilton's quest for a "more streamlined balance" will be a key storyline, as Mercedes aims to challenge Ferrari and Red Bull.
• The conditions on Saturday are expected to see increased track grip, which could further alter the competitive order.