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Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton makes remarkable Mercedes 'yank' revelation

Lewis Hamilton salvaged two points after a recovery drive in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Hamilton race Baku
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To news overview © XPBimages

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he had to "yank" his steering wheel throughout the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, in an attempt to turn his Mercedes W15. 

Hamilton rescued two points at the Baku City Circuit after starting from the pit lane, following a late power unit change after qualifying. 

The seven-time world champion had qualified in seventh, but an incorrectly built power unit component resulted in several new parts being required. 

Overtaking was not an easy task in Baku due to the difficulties of following another car through the second sector, whilst Hamilton had an additional challenge to overcome. 

Hamilton was forced to use an unusual driving-style in a bid to "slide" his W15 through all the corners, caused by the 39-year-old having too much front-end and no rear-end. 

He made multiple remarks over the radio during the race, in a bid for the Brackley-based outfit to see how he was having to drive. 

The steering difficulties for Hamilton were triggered by a poor car balance, which the 105-time race winner made a staggering revelation over. 

"It was the worst balance I probably ever had, one of the worst balances," Hamilton told select media including RacingNews365

"Basically I had so much front-end and no rear. [To turn] I had to yank the steering to break the traction from the front, slide the front through every corner. It's the weirdest way to drive."

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