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'Team Unity Incredibly High': Lewis and George Preview Japanese GP

Despite a slow start to the 2024 season both Lewis and George remain confident that the team will find the best way forward with W15.

Inconsistencies with W15 have led to a challenging opening three races, but that hasn't dented the determination of any of the team at Brackley and Brixworth.

"We win and lose as a team, and this team is incredibly united," said Lewis, speaking before this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

"I've been in this team a long time, and know pretty much everything there is to know about it. These people are incredibly resilient.

"We will continue to learn as much as we can, remain positive and continue to fight and chase."

The seven-time world champion added that his desire to drive the team on hasn't wavered, and that the best way to move forward is to avoid looking back.

"If you dwell on difficult times, then there is only one way you are going.

"What keeps me up at night is thinking what I can do different. How can I do better? How can I improve my qualifying. How can I help the team?"

We are confident we can make steps in the right direction

George

Both drivers would have hoped for a better start to the campaign, but know there is still so much to play for in 2024.

"It's still so early in the season, but we are already seeing trends emerging," said George.

"We know our strengths and weaknesses. There still so much to learn. You want to find big breakthroughs and gains but that is just so rare because the level is so high," he continued.

"We are confident we can make steps in the right direction. Every time you go back to the factory you see everyone working so hard and that helps you understand everything a bit more.

"We are constantly chipping away."

One of the biggest tasks the team face at the moment is to improve the consistency of W15, which has shown glimpses of strong performance across all three rounds so far and led to a lot of positive feedback from Lewis and George.

"I definitely do feel more optimistic with this car," said Lewis.

"There have been small showings of the car feeling great. We seem to have pace for a moment and then it disappears, so is more performance there."

"We just need to make it more consistent. We are experimenting with everything to try and find the best set-up and compromise.

"But this sport is naturally difficult. It's all about perspective."

George added: "It's all about using what we're seeing at the factory on the simulator and applying that to the performance."

One thing that isn't up for debate is the appreciation that Formula One has for the Suzuka circuit, which we visit in April for the first time this season.

"The undulations and the cambered corners make this place really fun to drive. Those combinations just make Suzuka so special," said George.

Lewis added: "Just driving this track is such an incredible experience. They do not make them like this anymore."

Toto Previews the Japanese GP

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