AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Nico Hülkenberg Backs Lewis Hamilton Amid 2024 Struggles: “He’s Still Going Great”

Redação by Redação
January 10, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Nico Hulkenberg Gears Up for Tough Challenge in Sauber’s 2025 Revival –  ‘Going to be tough’

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - December 1, 2024 Haas' Nico Hulkenberg ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Lewis Hamilton’s challenging final season with Mercedes in 2024 raised questions about his form and future, but fellow driver Nico Hülkenberg has come to the defense of the seven-time World Champion. Hülkenberg insists Hamilton remains one of the most formidable talents on the grid, despite a season marred by underperformance and frustration.


A Tough Year for Hamilton at Mercedes

Hamilton’s 2024 season was far from the dominance fans have come to expect. He finished a disappointing seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, 22 points behind teammate George Russell, who outqualified him 19 times in 24 races.

Mercedes struggled with the temperamental W15, a car ill-suited to Hamilton’s late-braking driving style and the current era of ground-effect aerodynamics and 18-inch Pirelli tires.

The nadir came at the Qatar Grand Prix, where Hamilton’s pace deficit to Russell left him questioning his abilities.

“I’m just slow, same every weekend,” Hamilton said after a tough qualifying session. “The car felt relatively decent. No issues. Not really much more to say.”


Hülkenberg: “Never Discount Lewis”

Hülkenberg, now one of the elder statesmen of the F1 grid alongside Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, believes the Briton’s struggles were more about frustration than a decline in skill.

“It is just about timing, and I think he had a weak moment,” Hülkenberg told RacingNews365.
“He was disappointed after a poor qualifying. George [Russell] is a very fast and complete driver already. He’s put in strong performances and has good momentum, so even when you’re as experienced as Lewis, it can get to you.”

Hülkenberg pointed to Hamilton’s stunning performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he climbed from 10th on the grid to finish second, as proof of his enduring talent.

“You saw in Las Vegas how good Lewis is. He came from P10 to [P2], and you should never discount him. He’s still going great.”


The Ferrari Chapter Begins

Hamilton has acknowledged that managing his final year at Mercedes while preparing for a new chapter at Ferrari was far tougher than he anticipated.

“The first meeting with Toto [Wolff] at the beginning of the year was awkward, of course,” Hamilton revealed. “It was awkward from the get-go to the day after when I took some of the team paintballing, and they had just found out.”

Hamilton admitted he underestimated the emotional toll of racing a full season with one team while planning for a future elsewhere.

“I anticipated it would be difficult, but massively underestimated how difficult it would be.”


What’s Next for Hamilton?

Now heading to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Hamilton is tasked with leading the Scuderia back to championship contention. While the transition from Mercedes is a gamble, Hamilton’s tenacity and skill make him a driver capable of excelling under pressure. As Hülkenberg noted, writing off Hamilton would be a mistake.

Hamilton himself remains optimistic about his ability to adapt and prove doubters wrong at Ferrari, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated chapters of his illustrious career.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Isack Hadjar Thrives Under Pressure as He Secures Red Bull F1 Future for 2026
Motorsports

Isack Hadjar Thrives Under Pressure as He Secures Red Bull F1 Future for 2026

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Arthur Ling
October 12, 2025
Verstappen’s Fiery Comeback: How Red Bull’s Bold Upgrades Ignite Title Hopes!
Motorsports

Verstappen’s Fiery Comeback: How Red Bull’s Bold Upgrades Ignite Title Hopes!

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Redação
October 12, 2025
Ferrari’s F1 2025 Nightmare: Leclerc Reveals Shocking Struggles and Unraveled Ambitions
Motorsports

Ferrari’s F1 2025 Nightmare: Leclerc Reveals Shocking Struggles and Unraveled Ambitions

ASPhotography

by Simon Monroy
October 12, 2025
McLaren’s Controversial Championship Win: Steiner Slams Team as ‘W***ers’ After Singapore Chaos!
Motorsports

McLaren’s Controversial Championship Win: Steiner Slams Team as ‘W***ers’ After Singapore Chaos!

2025 Kym Illman

by David Castro
October 12, 2025

Recent News

Museu Skoda: 130 anos de história

Skoda Museum: 130 Years of History

October 13, 2025
Mais de seis milhões de carregamentos de veículos eletrificados na rede pública em 2025

“More than six million electric vehicle chargeings on the public network in 2025.”

October 13, 2025
Elétricos do Grupo VW: vendas crescem mas…

“Volkswagen Group electric vehicles: sales grow but…”

October 13, 2025
BYD inaugura no Brasil a maior fábrica da América Latina

BYD inaugurates the largest factory in Latin America in Brazil.

October 13, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.