Toto Wolff gave Lewis Hamilton reason to be hopeful despite his driver having to deal with an "undriveable" car in Monaco.
After an improved showing in Barcelona last week, where the British driver finished fifth after recovering from an early puncture, Mercedes arrived in Monaco in positive mood. But any optimism was seemingly negated by a difficult first practice session.
Hamilton, 37, was clearly struggling with the effects of porpoising again as he narrowly avoided sliding off the track into the wall. He eventually finished 10th quickest, with teammate George Russell eighth.
Again, it was front-runners Ferrari and Red Bull who dominated matters, with Charles Leclerc quickest in his home venue. He was followed by Sergio Perez, Carlos Sainz, and then Max Verstappen.
“I think we have a ride issue,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1 after first practice. "It’s something we’ve had through the season and on the bouncing, sometimes it’s a combination between aero and stiffness. Today, it’s the stiffness."
The Silver Arrows installed a new floor on their cars in Spain, which had seemingly addressed the issue. But despite the reoccurrence of the problem, Team Principal Wolff wasn't downbeat.
“It looks like our car performs because we were quick,” he told reporters. "Maybe not at the end when we were on the hard tyres and doing the long runs but overall I think it’s a good car. It’s just undriveable like this."
And the Austrian believed that with further work, Hamilton could be in better shape to compete before the weekend is out: "I think [we can] work on the set-up and try to make it a little bit more enjoyable for them," he added.
“Of course, you want to have a fast car – if it’s fast, we’ll make him all the pads [Lewis] needs!” Hamilton has already written off any hopes of challenging for the title in 2022, but will be seeking to improve on his current position of sixth.
Regardless, the seven-time world champion would have been relieved to be able to get out on the track after t he jewellery row between him and F1 bosses continued this week. Hamilton has thus far remained defiant despite an FIA clampdown on the issue.
During his Thursday media duties, he said: "It's not been a problem in the past and there's no reason for it to be problem necessarily now. Honestly, I feel like there's just way too much time and energy being given to this."
The FIA have given drivers until June 30 to able to wear items without being punished. What sanctions they will seek to impose after that date are yet to be confirmed.
