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Lewis Hamilton is increasingly anxious for his final season with Mercedes to come to an end, given his recent performances

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
December 1, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Lewis Hamilton is increasingly anxious for his final season with Mercedes to come to an end, given his recent performances

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - December 1, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

As Lewis Hamilton prepares to bid farewell to Mercedes after the 2024 Formula 1 season, his struggles in qualifying continued to dominate the narrative at the Qatar Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion was once again significantly off the pace of teammate George Russell, raising questions about what has caused the persistent gap between the two drivers throughout the season.


Hamilton’s Qualifying Woes: “I’m Half a Second Off”

Hamilton’s frustration was palpable after finding himself 0.4 seconds behind Russell in Sprint qualifying and even further adrift during Saturday night’s main race session. Despite feeling the car was balanced and his laps were competitive, Hamilton admitted he couldn’t explain the recurring deficit.

“I’m slow out there,” Hamilton confessed. “I’m half a second off my teammate in the same car … It’s been happening all year. I know I’ve still got it. It’s not a question in my mind. I’ve given it absolutely everything, and the laps are generally feeling good, but I come across the line, and it’s just slow.”

The gap to Russell has been a theme throughout 2024, with Hamilton struggling to match his teammate’s pace in qualifying. While Russell secured a front-row start in Qatar for both the Sprint and the main race, Hamilton languished further down the grid, prompting the Briton to express his growing eagerness for the season—and his time with Mercedes—to end.


A Frustrating Farewell: Looking Forward to Change

As Hamilton prepares for his final start with Mercedes at next week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his remarks reflected a mix of nostalgia and exasperation. “Looking forward to the end,” Hamilton said, signaling his readiness to move on to a new chapter at Ferrari in 2025.

The struggles in Qatar underscore the broader challenges Hamilton has faced this season. While he has remained competitive in race conditions, particularly during overtaking battles, his inability to extract maximum performance from the W15 in qualifying has been a consistent source of frustration.


The Sprint Race: Balancing Risk and Reward

Hamilton showed flashes of his trademark competitiveness during the Sprint race, engaging in a close battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. However, he admitted to holding back in defense, prioritizing the main Grand Prix over the lower-stakes Sprint.

“I didn’t defend; I should have defended, but I didn’t,” Hamilton said. “He was a bit quicker than me and probably going to come by anyway. If I’m in the same position again tomorrow, I’ll put more of a fight up, for sure.”

Hamilton’s strategic approach reflects his experience and focus on the bigger picture, but it also highlights the limitations he has faced in extracting consistent performance from his car.


What’s Next for Hamilton and Mercedes?

With just one race remaining in his Mercedes tenure, Hamilton has the chance to close out his chapter with the team on a high note. Despite the frustrations of 2024, Hamilton’s contributions to Mercedes’ dominance in Formula 1 are undeniable, and his departure marks the end of an era.

For Mercedes, the focus will shift to optimizing their car for 2025 and continuing to support Russell as the team’s future leader. For Hamilton, the move to Ferrari represents an opportunity to reinvigorate his career and prove that his struggles in 2024 were down to the car, not his abilities.


Conclusion: A Season of Reflection and Change

Lewis Hamilton’s challenges in Qatar encapsulate a season defined by transition and introspection. As he prepares for his final race with Mercedes, Hamilton remains confident in his abilities despite the persistent pace gap to Russell. His focus is on ending his time with the team on a strong note while looking ahead to the opportunities that await with Ferrari.

For fans, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix represents not just the conclusion of a season but the end of a historic partnership between Hamilton and Mercedes. As one chapter closes, another begins, promising new challenges and opportunities for one of the sport’s greatest drivers.

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