SUMMARY
- Mercedes struggles to match Red Bull's pace in recent years, hindering Lewis Hamilton's championship pursuits.
- Challenges persist for Hamilton including aging concerns, Ferrari's rebuilding, and Red Bull's dominance.
In recent years, Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton have struggled to match the pace of rivals like Red Bull. The last time Hamilton was close to winning a championship title was in 2021, which took a different turn due to the events that transpired at the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, his racing skills faded into obscurity as Verstappen began a winning streak, showcasing absolute dominance.
The British sensation did, however, prove his persistent competitiveness in 2023 when he finished third in the championship. Hamilton has the stamina to keep competing at a high level, much like Fernando Alonso, who overcomes advancing age to perform brilliantly in his early forties. His track record suggests he can maintain this standard for years to come, provided Ferrari offers him a good-quality car.
Can Lewis Hamilton win the title with Ferrari?
In the early days of 2024, the 7x champion declared his move to Ferrari in 2025. While Mercedes and the F1 community were taken aback by this announcement, a specific clause in his contract allowed him to execute such a move despite being under an existing contract. Amid Ferrari’s rebuilding phase, Hamilton likely sees his best shot at securing a championship-worthy car before retirement.
Despite the 39-year-old’s determination to lift his eighth championship trophy, the odds are not quite in the favor of the driver. His age could act as a hindrance to his dreams. On the other hand, in recent times, Prancing Horse has been marred with strategic issues which cost them several podium finishes. If these flaws could be eliminated, Hamilton could potentially contend for his highly anticipated 8th championship.
After his championship years, it remains to be seen if Hamilton’s ability has diminished. Ferrari, meanwhile, remains in the developmental stage, a process prolonged by the constraints of the modern budget cap era. Given the superiority established by the reigning champion in recent years, it will not be easy for Hamilton to defeat Verstappen.
Deciphering the 3x champ’s reduced pace in 2024
Lewis Hamilton is determined to reclaim his 8th title, yet he finds himself stuck around the P8 grid position instead of advancing towards his goal. It has been evident that the driver has not been enjoying the W15 from the very beginning. However, the same cannot be said about his teammate George Russell who is optimistic about the car as well as the team’s stance in 2024.
The difference between McLaren and Mercedes in the high-speed corners at Jeddah was so jarring.
Lando Norris gained over 7 tenths on Lewis Hamilton in S1 on this lap.
Lando: 33.720
Lewis: 34.456Big issue for Mercedes to figure out. pic.twitter.com/1wAVIVQCHP
— Daniel Valente 🏎️ (@F1GuyDan) March 11, 2024
Mercedes has been only the fifth fastest on single-lap pace in 2024, still trailing significantly behind Red Bull. During practice in Saudi Arabia, Hamilton was dismayed to find himself “lacking a little confidence in the rear of the car”, a familiar issue from last year. These struggles in Jeddah reflect longstanding issues for Silver Arrows amidst inconsistent performance, unpredictable swings, and lagging in faster corners.
As for the Sakhir race, Russell gave an insight within the qualifying session as he stated, “I turned in, the car hit the ground and I went off because I was going through the corner maybe 10km/h quicker than at any other time this weekend.” The lack of confidence, stemming from insufficient downforce, continues to plague Mercedes. This is indicative that the team’s efforts to overcome it have fallen short.