Lewis Hamilton: Evaluation of Mercedes driver’s struggles in F1 qualifying forward of essential challenges in Azerbaijan and Singapore F1 Information

Regardless of taking 36 extra pole positions than some other driver in Method 1 historical past, qualifying has undoubtedly been Lewis Hamilton’s Achilles’ heel this season.

The seven-time world champion completed 12-4 behind teammate George Russell in qualifying, whereas the younger Mercedes driver additionally led 2-1 in dash qualifying.

A formidable rival for any lap driver, Russell’s qualifying performances early in Williams’ profession earned him the nickname “Mr Saturday” however he has gone from 11-11 final season. , by 2024, surprisingly.

Two wins within the first three races of the summer time break confirmed that Hamilton’s racing abilities, significantly his skill to handle tires over your entire distance, stay actually elite.

Hamilton’s 36-point lead over his team-mate within the drivers’ championship displays his continued robust efficiency on Sunday, but it surely should be famous that Russell’s dangerous luck additionally performed a job.

Hamilton has 104 pole positions in F1 and has been in a position to set distinctive lap occasions all through his historic profession, however as he approaches 40, there’s purpose to wonder if his lap velocity is fading.

Qualifying is especially vital with two races in Azerbaijan and Singapore looming, and stress is mounting on Hamilton to show he can nonetheless compete with the perfect on Saturday.

Hamilton’s gorgeous entry at Monza

When somebody suspects {that a} sure facet of a sports activities celebrity’s efficiency is declining, it is normally the media that factors it out.

For instance, there may be an ongoing dialogue about whether or not Cristiano Ronaldo nonetheless has the qualities required to play worldwide soccer for Portugal.

Considerably surprisingly, in Hamilton’s case, the harshest criticism got here from the person himself, as he appeared to have lastly damaged out after qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.

Hamilton gave the impression to be in competition for pole place all through follow and even within the early levels of qualifying, not for the primary time this season, however he failed to finish a clear lap throughout a vital second in Q3 and finally Ranked sixth on the grid.

His frustration was undoubtedly compounded by the truth that he was outperformed by Russell. Russell broken his automotive, however regardless of restricted follow time, Russell completed third.

hamilton instructed Sky Sports activities F1: “I used to be offended, completely offended. I might have been on pole, no less than on the entrance row. However ultimately I did not get the job completed.

“There isn’t any one guilty however myself. Qualifying has been my weak point for some time and I could not determine it out.

“The automotive feels higher than the final race and the staff deserves higher. Possibly they are going to get that with Kimi’s assist.”

He went on to make a collection of surprising feedback, later including in an interview with written media: “I am simply not excellent at qualifying, it is so simple as that.”

Are technical points holding Hamilton again?

So why is the best driver within the sport (no less than in line with statistics) struggling?

First, it is vital to acknowledge that Russell is clearly doing an unimaginable job. Even the under-par Hamilton did not simply dominate, and the stress Russell placed on his teammates along with his consistency might have performed a job.

From a technical perspective, the closest clarification now we have comes from Mercedes technical director James Allison.

Talking in June, after Russell beat Hamilton 8-1 in qualifying, Allison stated the newest technology of F1 vehicles weren’t suited to the latter’s flying lap driving fashion.

“It is no accident that Lewis is the perfect qualifier within the historical past of the game as a result of I believe he is the perfect driver within the sport, however he is struggling to carry on by a slender margin this 12 months,” Allison stated.

“I believe, to some extent,” Allison stated. “The present tire mixture on the automotive, and it is not simply us, it would not prefer to be pushed round when going by means of the pit lane – you’ll be able to just about get your greatest lap occasions once you’re not attempting.

“When the automotive is doing good laps, the drivers are nearly like, ‘I did not anticipate that, I used to be nearly cruising.’

“In terms of qualifying, when the stress is on, when it is time to ship, I do not assume the tires which might be very finicky are going to work out the perfect in these circumstances.”

If Allison’s suspicions are true, one can safely assume that he’ll talk about these points with Hamilton, and the Briton will definitely attempt to alter his qualifying strategy.

This can be the explanation for Hamilton’s frustration at Monza, having to this point been unable to discover a approach to carry out at his greatest within the W15 when it issues most.

The stress will solely improve

Whereas Hamilton has overcome qualifying woes with excellent driving performances on a number of events this season, such a restoration can be troublesome to realize over the subsequent two weekends.

Overtaking was practically unimaginable in Baku final 12 months, and whereas the DRS space could also be prolonged to create extra leisure, progress on this observe stays a big problem.

For instance, if a driver desires to qualify decrease down, there’s a danger of getting caught within the DRS practice, which may make overtaking on the principle straight very troublesome.

Overtaking in Baku could also be a relative breeze in comparison with Singapore, the place even an enormous velocity benefit is not sufficient to ensure clearing the observe.

This was greatest demonstrated throughout an thrilling stage of final 12 months’s race, when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz beat Lando Norris and George Russell to take victory.

Hamilton will know there is no such thing as a room for error over the subsequent two Saturdays, additional growing the stress on him to ship.

One other issue that will quickly begin to cross his thoughts is that his problem won’t ease subsequent 12 months, along with his subsequent team-mate Charles Leclerc thought-about by many to be F1’s quickest driver on a single lap.

Whereas being overtaken by his team-mate in qualifying will little question dent Hamilton’s ego, his greatest concern can be not having the ability to take advantage of the chance for Ferrari to offer him a title-challenging automotive subsequent season.

“Traits of a Champion”

Clearly, the state of affairs has brought about appreciable misery for Hamilton, however his present and future employers seem much less involved.

Responding to Hamilton’s self-criticism in Italy, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insisted the feedback had been these of a “champion” and that the Briton continues to set a great instance for Russell and Antonelli.

Wolff stated: “I believe the good trait of a champion is to first take a look at himself and say, ‘What did I do fallacious?’

“I believe that is what he is doing. He is looking for the place he can enhance, the place he can do higher and the place he is dropping efficiency.

“He is very robust and a job mannequin for George and even Kimi. That is vital for the staff. However the best participant of all time could be very essential.”

As for Ferrari staff principal Fred Vasseur, the Frenchman stated he was not apprehensive about Hamilton’s type given the race outcomes achieved by the long run Ferrari driver.

“No, as a result of he received at Spa,” Vasseur stated. “I might moderately win on the finish of the race than pole place.”

It will be silly to exclude Hamilton, however there are definitely doubters – most crucially Hamilton himself – whether or not he can return to the shape that after dominated Saturday’s race.

Method 1 will go away the continent this weekend for the Baku and Azerbaijan Grand Prix, broadcast dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month-to-month Membership – no contract, cancel anytime