Lewis Hamilton has been hugely successful since joining Mercedes at the start of the 2013 season, winning six world championships with the team.
The British driver is moving to Ferrari for next season to partner Charles Leclerc after Mercedes have struggled to master the ground effect regulations brought in for 2022.
Ferrari have improved significantly this season, and are McLaren’s nearest rivals for the Constructors’ Championship with two rounds to go.
Hamilton’s time with Mercedes is coming to a difficult end, as the past three years have been a struggle without a car able to consistently battle for wins.
The seven-time world champion performed well in Las Vegas as Mercedes enjoyed the cold conditions to take second place behind his teammate George Russell.
Peter Windsor told the Cameron Cc: YouTube channel he was at a loss to explain why Mercedes chose to do one thing with Hamilton over the weekend.
Peter Windsor was ‘confused’ by Mercedes sending Lewis Hamilton out in traffic in Q3
Qualifying is incredibly important in Formula 1 as it is relatively difficult to overtake and the gaps between all 10 teams are so fine.
The Pirelli tyre can be difficult to manage as they have a narrow operating window, making them tricky to extract the most from over a single lap.
Hamilton has uncharacteristically struggled in qualifying this season and is yet to take a pole position, he has also only qualified on the front row once.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton sends clear message to Kimi Antonelli ahead of his debut Mercedes season
The British driver was sent out onto the track behind Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg on both runs which may have made life more difficult.
Windsor explained he finds that confusing but doesn’t feel Mercedes were purposely hindering Hamilton in Las Vegas.
He said: “I’m slightly confused still about this business of when the drivers were sent out in Q3. If Mercedes said to Lewis, We know you want to go out last, Lewis.
“We know you want to go out in a clear track, but we’re going to make it difficult for you. We’re going to send you out in the middle of the traffic.
“You’re going to be behind Hulkenberg again, both runs. I mean, if they said that to Lewis, then I’ll Well, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’ll probably eat this cap, but I don’t think that would have happened.”
Moving to Ferrari may be a challenge for Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton’s moving to Ferrari for 2025 energised the driver market and opened the door for Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace him.
Ferrari may be a culture shock for Hamilton who will work with a team based outside of England for the first time in his F1 career.
He may have the opportunity to win races, but Leclerc will be very difficult to beat in qualifying as he is very proficient when on the limit.
Ferrari may allow Hamilton to push for an eighth world championship but they are a lot of fast, younger drivers around on the grid.
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