Lewis Hamilton has faced a less than ideal start to the current Formula 1 season. This week brought another bleak beginning for both Hamilton and Mercedes. During Free Practice 2 on Friday, Hamilton encountered significant difficulties with the Mercedes W15 and ended up in P18, near the bottom of the table. Changes were made to Hamilton’s car before the practice session, and the team boss believes these changes may be the reason behind the poor performance.
The Mercedes W15 was expected to be a strong contender that would help the team regain its position at the top. However, the current situation is dampening any optimism the team may have had for this season. The issues with the car have left both Mercedes drivers and the team frustrated during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Despite their efforts, the team has not yet identified the underlying problem based on today’s practice sessions.
Lewis Hamilton had several off-track moments and a setup error, finishing FP2 in P18. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described a “dramatic” change in Hamilton’s car setup that had a significant negative impact. The team has been working to resolve the car’s issues over the past two weeks, before the Australian GP weekend. Unfortunately, it seems they have not been successful. Both the drivers and Mercedes are struggling in the timing tables. To make a comeback, the team needs to address these issues as quickly as possible.
The beginning of the season brought a surprising twist when Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari in 2025. It has always been a childhood dream of the seven-time world champion to drive for the iconic Italian brand. However, Hamilton is fully focused on ending his tenure with Mercedes on a high note. He aims to bring Mercedes back to the top and surpass Ferrari in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship.
While signing with Ferrari is a dream come true for Hamilton, it currently seems challenging for him to overcome his future employer. The new challenger to Mercedes is presenting numerous difficulties for the team. If Mercedes wants to challenge Ferrari this year, they will have to address the fundamental issues as soon as possible.
