Hamilton says team data study aided Rosberg's Bahrain fightback
Lewis Hamilton revealed Mercedes handed Nico Rosberg a detailed analysis of his Malaysia pace, helping the German close the gap in Bahrain's wheel-to-wheel finish.
Lewis Hamilton has said a detailed analysis of his race data, shared within the Mercedes team, helped teammate Nico Rosberg mount a stronger challenge at the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix. Hamilton, who won the race after a close duel with Rosberg, revealed the German was given a comprehensive document outlining areas where Hamilton had been faster in the previous round in Malaysia.
Speaking after the Bahrain race, Hamilton said the team had conducted an in-depth study of his Malaysian Grand Prix performance. Rosberg, who had finished 17 seconds behind Hamilton in Sepang, was then given a report highlighting all the areas where Hamilton had found time on track. The intention, according to Hamilton, was to help Rosberg understand and potentially replicate his teammate's approach in key corners and sectors.
Rosberg closes the gap after data review
The impact was immediate. In Bahrain, Rosberg matched Hamilton's pace and the pair fought wheel-to-wheel throughout the race, with Hamilton ultimately taking victory by just one second. The Mercedes drivers were allowed to race each other freely, despite a late radio instruction from technical chief Paddy Lowe to "bring both cars home" safely. Hamilton later acknowledged the team’s willingness to let them race, but warned that such close battles could not always guarantee a smooth outcome for both drivers.
Hamilton remains 11 points behind Rosberg in the championship after three rounds, despite winning twice. The British driver said he would now study Rosberg’s data in turn ahead of the next race in China, aiming to regain any lost advantage. The exchange of data between teammates is standard practice at Mercedes, but the scale of the document reportedly given to Rosberg after Malaysia was notable for its detail.
Mercedes rivalry intensifies
The close contest between Hamilton and Rosberg is drawing attention to the openness of information sharing inside Mercedes. While the team’s policy is to provide both drivers with equal access to data, the effectiveness of such analysis in closing performance gaps has become a talking point. Hamilton's comments suggest that even small details can make a difference when teammates are so closely matched.
The championship battle between the two Mercedes drivers remains finely balanced. With both drivers having access to each other's telemetry and analysis, the margins separating them are likely to remain narrow as the season progresses. For more on the evolving rivalry, seeHamilton credits Rosberg’s level as Mercedes rivalry intensifies.
