‘Struggling to Sleep Thinking of Tyre Pressures and Downforce’: George and Lewis Preview F1’s Return
From downtime and rest to downforce and DRS – F1 moves from holiday mode to race mode again this weekend.
Twenty five days since the F1 paddock closed for the annual Summer Shutdown, it returned today in Zandvoort, signalling the start of the second half of the 2024 season.
After three weeks off, Lewis, George, and the team are getting ready to hit the track again for the Dutch Grand Prix.
While both drivers used the time away to recharge and reflect, it was not long before the racing bug started to bite.
George said: “The break was needed for everyone. I did not think about racing too much at first.
“But last Sunday night, I was struggling to sleep thinking about tyre pressures and rear springs and downforce levels.
Lewis – who spent much of the summer exploring Africa – added: “We all recharge in different ways.
“I did not go into the break that tired but to be able to take your foot off the gas and not be flat out for a period of time is important.
“In the long run I am going to notice that, especially when I look at where I want to improve in the final half of the season.”
Ten races in just over three and a half months await the teams, starting with a double-header in Zandvoort and Monza.
After a strong finish to the first half of the season, optimism is high within the team, and there is still so much to fight for in 2024.
Lewis said: “The turnaround feels phenomenal.
“Everyone has worked so hard and stayed so motivated and focused. It is nice to know we have a car that we can use to fight for wins and podiums.”
George said: “We have got to be setting our sights high, because we are improving drastically.
“Three wins in the last four races probably does not perfectly reflect the performance, because McLaren have been really strong, and Red Bull are always competitive too.
“It reminds me a little bit of my junior days – if you do a great job, victory is possible. If you do not, you will be outside the top five.”
Everyone has worked so hard and stayed so motivated and focused.
Lewis
Fine margins between four fiercely competitive and strong teams. So, what are the aims for the rest of the season?
“I am getting more and more comfortable with the car as it improves,” said Lewis.
“I have been working so hard all year and trying to get better,” he added.
“If we can catch Ferrari in the Constructors’ that would be amazing, if we can move into the top five in the Drivers’ I think that would be a good recovery from the start of the season.”
George added: “I think the performances we have been showing recently have been really, strong.
“But we are not too focused on those points right now. We are just taking it race by race, just trying to understand the car further and try and get some more victories under our belt.”
