Lack of rear downforce leaves W14 on “knife-edge” at Suzuka

After a “nightmare” Friday, Hamilton was much happier with his W14 thanks to overnight changes, but he still faced a tricky balance come qualifying.

As high as fourth in Q2, Hamilton took seventh place in Q3, immediately ahead of team-mate George Russell.

The outcome clearly benchmarked the Mercedes as the fourth-best car at Suzuka after the Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari.

Hamilton admitted that he couldn’t have got any more out of the car after…