Lewis Hamilton entered the 2024 Formula 1 season with high hopes, but his start has been far from ideal. He describes it as the worst start to a campaign in his 18-year career. The results and issues with the car have frustrated the expectations that were set after a promising pre-season. Hamilton retired from the Australian Grand Prix, leaving him with only eight points in three races. This is a significant departure from his previous performances.
In 2009, Hamilton faced similar challenges with McLaren. The car lacked the necessary levels of downforce compared to his competitors due to new aerodynamic regulations. The McLaren-Mercedes MP4-24 struggled to qualify and Hamilton’s title defense was effectively over before it even began. Although that was a tough season, Hamilton’s current situation is even worse.
Statistically, this is Hamilton’s worst start to a Formula 1 season in terms of results. He has failed to qualify above eighth place and has only scored eight points so far. This is the first time he has failed to secure a result in the top six in the first three races of a season. Even in 2009, he managed to reach the podium in Australia before being disqualified for misleading the stewards.
In addition to his poor results, Hamilton has also been outperformed by his teammate, George Russell, in qualifying sessions. This is a significant disadvantage considering their previously balanced performances. The races themselves have also been challenging for Hamilton. Cooling issues in Bahrain and a pit stop under green flag conditions in Saudi Arabia have hindered his progress.
Hamilton was hoping for a stronger start to the season, considering the hard work done by the team during the winter. The lack of competitiveness has been discouraging, but he remains inspired by the dedication of his colleagues. Despite the car’s slower pace in a single lap compared to his rivals, Hamilton was hoping for a better foundation to build on this year.
However, the return of previous issues and the unpredictable characteristics of the car have been a setback. Hamilton has been struggling to maintain consistency and competitiveness. Mercedes has identified issues with their simulation tools and the car’s performance in higher temperatures. Although there is still time to make improvements, it is unlikely that Hamilton will achieve more than a podium finish in 2024.
The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka may present additional challenges, especially in the high-speed sector where Mercedes struggled last year. The key question is whether Mercedes can solve these problems quickly enough to allow Hamilton to end his time with the team on a positive note.
