Lewis Hamilton’s 2024 Formula 1 form has been a confusing tale to crack during his final season with his beloved Mercedes team.
He has won races, including a record ninth British Grand Prix, but he has also had awful events, such as the one he suffered at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Teammate George Russell has trounced him in qualifying to the tune of a 23-6 record including sprints, which is a key area of improvement for him before he moves to Ferrari.
Partnering a one-lap king in the form of Charles Leclerc will mean that he has to find something over the winter, or he risks being embarrassed during his first season with the Scuderia.
Jolyon Palmer claims Lewis Hamilton needs a ‘full reset’ ahead of 2025 Ferrari move
Hamilton called himself ‘slow’ last week in Qatar, a race weekend where he was blasted with multiple penalties, a puncture and a lack of pace.
At the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, he hinted that he might be completely done for the year, but has stuck through some very tricky times with Mercedes.
He will get to sign off at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but speaking on BBC Sport, Jolyon Palmer has warned that he has to find something before he arrives at Ferrari.
“Lewis Hamilton has had so many doubts and you never want to admit that as an F1 driver,” he said.
“The story is great of Hamilton going to Ferrari but he needs a full reset to be properly reinvigorated for next season because he is walking into the lion’s den. Charles Leclerc is so embedded in that team.”
Palmer ‘doesn’t think’ Hamilton has ‘lost it’ quite yet
There is no dispute to be had about Hamilton’s race pace throughout 2024, having largely kept up with his teammate in the drivers’ championship.
He has missed a few opportunities courtesy of his poor Saturday form, otherwise, he may have been ahead of Russell by now.
But he will be relying on Ferrari to make a good car next year if he wants any chance of winning a record eighth crown.
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He has proven before that he doesn’t need the best car on the grid to run it close, and he’s likely to relish the chance of facing up to Max Verstappen again.
Palmer went on to admit further to BBC Sport that Hamilton still has the potential to challenge at the top of the grid.
“Hamilton, at some point you get slower. Is he at that stage, 39, 40 next year? I look back to 12 months ago when he was at the top of his game.
“Something has happened with Lewis. Maybe it’s simply career fatigue and he needs a reboot and a reinjection of vigour. I don’t think he is losing it just yet.”
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