Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time World Champion, is going through a tough time in Formula 1. After another disappointing qualifying session at the Qatar Grand Prix, the Briton made a shocking statement: “I’m definitely not fast anymore.”
This unsettling remark highlights the self-doubt that seems to have crept in over the past few seasons, as Mercedes AMG continues to struggle with an underperforming Formula 1 car concept. The timing of this revelation is all the more striking, as Hamilton is set to join Scuderia Ferrari in just a few weeks.
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Hamilton struggles in qualifying: what’s happening?
Friday’s qualifying session at the Losail circuit, Qatar, confirmed a worrying trend: Hamilton is no longer the master of timed laps. While his teammate George Russell shone with a second-place finish on the sprint grid, Hamilton could only manage a modest seventh, nearly four-tenths of a second behind his younger compatriot. With just six qualifying victories over Russell across all sessions this season (22, including sprints), the record-holder for most pole positions in F1 seems lost with a car he finds difficult to tame. Hamilton didn’t shy away from the truth: “The car was fine. No issues, it’s just me. I’m slow, that’s all.” A brutally honest admission that speaks volumes.
pov watching formula 1 in the 2024 season as a lewis hamilton fan
pic.twitter.com/hVM4t4YW3C— аlina🥂 (@mercedarri) November 23, 2024
Starting too far back: the challenge of fighting through the pack
While Hamilton has often compensated for poor qualifying performances with strong race results, starting far down the grid has significantly hindered his ambitions. “When you’re always starting from behind, it’s almost impossible to fight for the win,” he admitted.
With what he describes as “decent race pace,” Lewis Hamilton knows that poor starting positions jeopardize his chances of competing with the front-runners. The frustration is amplified by the fact that Russell has shown the car’s potential. “The positive is that the F1 car is quick, and George can aim for pole on Saturday,” Hamilton added, suggesting he’s placing more hope in his teammate than in a sudden improvement from himself.
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A Formula 1 legend searching for answers
For a driver as accomplished as Lewis Hamilton, acknowledging a dip in performance is rare, if not unprecedented. Especially after years of dominance with Mercedes. His candid statements reveal a loss of confidence, which is also one of the reasons why Hamilton agreed to join Fred Vasseur and Ferrari in 2025. The question remains: is this truly the end of the Hamilton era, or just a temporary slump? He’ll likely need a few races to adapt, but the answer will come soon enough.
This article explores Lewis Hamilton’s struggles after yet another underwhelming qualifying session. From a loss of speed to a lack of confidence, the seven-time F1 world champion faces unexpected challenges this season. While his resilience is legendary, the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix might mark a turning point in his career.
Image: Mercedes Archives – © Jiri Krenek
