Lewis Hamilton is enduring a difficult end to life at Mercedes as he is consistently being outperformed by his teammate George Russell.
The seven-time world champion had a very tricky weekend last time out at the Qatar Grand Prix, where he got a puncture after running over debris. Hamilton was also outqualified by Russell before getting a penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
He has had some highlights this season, such as an emotional victory at the British Grand Prix before inheriting his second win of the season in Belgium. Hamilton also stormed through the field in Las Vegas to finish in second place after starting in 10th.
The British driver will be moving to Ferrari for next season as he looks to revitalise his career after Hamilton has been suffering for three long years at Mercedes.
Ferrari have significantly improved this year and have an opportunity to clinch their first Constructors’ Championship since 2008 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
David Coulthard explained that Hamilton has enjoyed a superb career since his debut in 2007, but one aspect of his performance is concerning.
Lewis Hamilton’s speed in qualifying is ‘deeply worrying’
Hamilton has been blistering fast over his career in qualifying and holds the record for the most pole positions of any driver with 104 starts at the front of the field.
He has had some superb efforts over a single lap such as ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in 2018 where he took pole position by six tenths of a second.
READ MORE: David Coulthard spotted Lewis Hamilton doing something ‘more worrying’ than his false start in Qatar
Qualifying has been more difficult since Formula 1’s ground effect regulations were introduced in 2022. In particular, this season, Hamilton hasn’t yet scored a pole position and has only started on the front row once.
Coulthard explained on the Formula For Success podcast that Hamilton’s qualifying performance is worrying but moving to Ferrari may help the situation.
He said: “It just feels that this isn’t this car doesn’t suit Lewis. Every car suited Lewis in the past. He is one of those true stars of the sport, where irrespective of the regulations, the tyres, the weather conditions, he just performs.
“So the fact that he hasn’t been performing, I think he’s been outqualified 18 times this year, is deeply worrying.
“And I’m hoping a little bit like when Superman puts on the red cape, putting on the Ferrari overalls, which will be coming around very quickly, four weeks or so after he finishes in Abu Dhabi, if not before, and then he’ll have two months to get ready for the first Grand Prix. I’m hoping that that puts him back on the pitch, because right now, he’s looking a shadow of his former self.”
Lewis Hamilton may struggle in qualifying against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari
Hamilton is moving to Ferrari but will be 40 years old when the season kicks off at the Australian Grand Prix in March.
Losing a small amount of pace in qualifying with age is natural and Hamilton may not be as quick as he used to be over a single lap despite having impressive race pace at times.
Charles Leclerc may be nervous about partnering Hamilton but the Monegasque has been blisteringly fast in qualifying, taking pole position at Monaco this year.
Hamilton may be out-qualified by Leclerc similar to his lacklustre record of being beaten 18-5 by Russell this season, but the races may be more encouraging.
Leave feedback about this