In a season that left fans bewildered, Mercedes has shed light on the challenges faced by Lewis Hamilton during what could be his final year with the team. The seven-time world champion struggled to keep pace with his less experienced teammate, George Russell, leading to questions about his performance and the car’s competitiveness. As Hamilton prepares to transition to Ferrari, the insights revealed by Mercedes offer a deeper understanding of his difficulties.
Hamilton’s struggles were not solely attributed to a lack of speed from the W15 car but stemmed from a mismatch between his driving style and the vehicle’s handling characteristics. According to Mercedes’ head of Trackside Engineering, Andrew Shovlin, Hamilton’s issues with brake locking and oversteer during qualifying laps significantly impacted his performance. Over the 2024 season, Russell outqualified Hamilton 24-6, with the latter’s struggles particularly evident in qualifying, where even minor time deficits resulted in substantial position drops on race day.
Shovlin emphasized that while the car’s overall performance was a factor, Hamilton’s unique driving technique—especially his preference for trail braking—was at odds with the car’s dynamics. The team acknowledged that creating a setup that complemented Hamilton’s style would be crucial moving forward.
As Hamilton gears up for his new role at Ferrari, excitement is building among fans eager to see him partner with Charles Leclerc. The transition marks a significant change, as Hamilton has spent his entire F1 career with Mercedes. With pre-season testing set for late February in Bahrain, many are hopeful that the upcoming Ferrari will align better with Hamilton’s driving preferences.
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, remains optimistic about Hamilton’s potential success with the team, noting that the upcoming car will feature substantial redesigns aimed at enhancing performance. As Hamilton embarks on this new chapter, the F1 community is left to ponder whether he can reclaim his competitive edge or if the challenges will persist.