Former F1 Driver Blames Lewis Hamilton’s Mentality for Inferior 2022 Outing to Mercedes Teammate Russell
Follow Us
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is enduring one of the worst starts of an F1 season of his career. And the start is arguably the outcome of the work done in the Brackley base. The 2022 regulations were tough on the Mercedes team and the W13 now suffers from extreme porpoising, as we’ve seen so far.
Hamilton’s teammate George Russell seems to handle the car better than the former world champion. There have been many theories so far this season for the reason behind it. People have pointed out that Hamilton was spoiled with championship-winning cars while Russell was making do at Williams. There were questions of confidence in the car.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, after the Canadian GP, son of legendary Gilles, Jacques Villeneuve, gives his take on the matter. “Lewis needs to have this start to go and get to his 100% form and this year you have the impression he is not been driving to the maximum of his potential,” said Villeneuve before reminding us of the incident in Barcelona where Hamilton wanted to save the engine before finishing P5. The incident reiterates his point that the Mercedes man is not giving his 100% this season.
“Make No Mistake…”: Fiercest F1 Rival Gives Poignant Insight Into the Mind of Lewis Hamilton
He added, “That’s the difference with Max from last year. Max is 100% the whole time, Lewis isn’t! But today, he was in front of his teammate, he could see the podium, he had extreme pace. Why didn’t he have this pace earlier in the season? Because obviously, the pace can be there.”
Villeneuve points out Hamilton’s attitude toward this season, and there might be some truth in there.
Lewis Hamilton hoping to switch roles with Russell in the second half
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Mercedes is experimenting and struggling every race weekend to unlock the W13’s potential. But the team has failed to do so in most of the races so far. The experimentation was especially bad during the first two practice sessions in Montreal, where Hamilton labeled the car as ‘underivable’.
But the Billion Dollar Man enjoyed a better race and was on the podium for the second time this season. However, Hamilton feels it’s Russell’s turn for experiments now, he said, “Yeah, maybe in the second half of the season George can do the experiments!”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Trending
F1 Rumor: Adrian Newey to Join Ferrari, Leaving Red Bull Amid Christian Horner-Helmut Marko Fiasco
April 25, 2024 05:55 PM EDT
Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat
April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT
What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP
April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT
Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”
April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT
“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out
April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Watch This Story: Pregnancy Restrictions Stopped Lindsey Vonn From Taking F1 Deal To Join Lewis Hamilton
Tired of the bouncing and experiments, hopefully, Hamilton will have a better second half of the season.
Edited by:
Ranvijay Singh