After 18 seasons in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton has been through just about every scenario that a racing driver can go through.
After six world championships together, he decided that the time was right to move from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
Ferrari’s number one driver decision has already been made, with preference given to whoever is fastest between Hamilton and new teammate Charles Leclerc.
But it may not come down to that, if Hamilton, who won’t be allowed to test for the Scuderia in Abu Dhabi after the end of the season, fails to rediscover the form that made him dominant in the mid to late 2010s.
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes performance has ‘disappeared’ in 2024
Statistically, Hamilton has been struggling more than ever in 2024 – sitting seventh in the drivers’ championship with two rounds to go.
It would beat his worst finish of all time, set in 2022 with sixth, representing a downward trend in his skillset.
Some thought the Hamilton of old may be returning after he claimed two victories in the summer, but Mercedes have since been ‘so slow’.
Teammate George Russell has been ‘stronger’ in qualifying all year, and Marc Priestley believes it suggests something about his form.
“Carlos has got a bit more longevity in him than Lewis has, we can all agree with that. But, Lewis’ performance this year in the Mercedes has clearly disappeared.
“It has disappeared even in comparison to his own teammate, particularly in qualifying. He just cannot match him.”
Hamilton vs Russell – how much better has the latter been in 2024?
Taking a look at how Russell and Hamilton have fared in 2024, the numbers tell you everything you need to know about the trajectory of the seven-time champion’s speed.
In 2023, nothing separated the two in the qualifying head-to-head, as the battle ended 11-11 for the year, while in 2024, Russell is 15-6 up with two races to go.
It reinforces Priestley’s point that perhaps Hamilton’s best qualifying days are behind him, but his race statistics make for worrying reading too.
READ MORE: Why Fernando Alonso called Toto Wolff when Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes for Ferrari
Last year, he was ultra-impressive, winning the race head-to-head 15-6, but this year, he trails 13-8, a seven-race swing.
Why it has disappeared is the question everyone will be asking, if he fails to return to form with Ferrari in 2025. By then, people will likely be calling for him to retire at the age of 40 and there may be conversations to be had with new boss Fred Vasseur.
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