Lewis Hamilton’s challenges in qualifying have been clear this season, as he has been outperformed by his Mercedes teammate George Russell, raising concerns ahead of pivotal races in Azerbaijan and Singapore. Despite boasting 36 more pole positions than any other driver in Formula 1 history, Hamilton has faced difficulties, recording a 12-4 deficit to Russell in qualifying sessions, as well as losing the edge in Sprint Qualifying 2-1.
Russell has earned the nickname “Mr. Saturday” due to his exceptional qualifying performances, and the marked shift from last season’s balanced 11-11 head-to-head score to a dominant showing in 2024 has caught many off guard. Although Hamilton has demonstrated his race craft by securing two wins before the summer break and maintaining a 36-point lead over Russell in the drivers’ standings, there are lingering questions about his one-lap speed as he approaches his 40th birthday.
With crucial races looming in Azerbaijan and Singapore, pressure mounts for Hamilton to prove he can still compete at the highest level during qualifying.
Hamilton’s Frustration After Italian GP Qualifying
While it’s common for media to voice concerns regarding an athlete’s performance decline, Hamilton has surprisingly been his own harshest critic. Following a disappointing qualifying session at the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton expressed his frustration. Although he appeared competitive throughout practice, he ultimately finished sixth after failing to execute a clean lap in Q3.
“I am furious, absolutely furious. I could have been on pole, or at least on the front row. I just didn’t do the job at the end,” Hamilton said during an interview with Sky Sports F1. “No one to blame but myself. Qualifying has been my weakness for a minute now, and I can’t figure it out. The car felt better than last race, and the team deserve better.”
Continuing his candid assessment, Hamilton remarked, “I’m just not very good at qualifying, simple as.”
Is a Technical Issue Holding Hamilton Back?
The question remains as to why a driver of Hamilton’s caliber is struggling in qualifying. While Russell has clearly performed exceptionally well, Hamilton’s own inconsistency may be exacerbated by the pressure Russell places on him with his strong performances.
From a technical standpoint, Mercedes’ technical director James Allison suggests that the latest generation of F1 cars may not align with Hamilton’s driving style during a flying lap. “Hamilton has been the best qualifier in the history of the sport, but he’s struggling to make it stick this year by fine margins,” Allison explained. “The current car-tyre combination doesn’t respond well to being hustled; often the best laps come when drivers aren’t pushing too hard.”
If Allison’s observations hold true, Hamilton may be grappling with adapting his approach to qualifying, which could contribute to his frustrations, as indicated during the Italian Grand Prix.
Intensifying Pressure Ahead
While Hamilton has managed to recover from qualifying troubles with impressive race performances, upcoming races will present significant challenges. Overtaking has been notoriously difficult at Baku, and Singapore is similarly challenging, where a speed advantage does not guarantee podium finishes.
Hamilton will be aware that qualifying poorly could hinder his chances of success in these races, particularly at a time when the competition is heating up and his future teammate Charles Leclerc is considered one of the fastest over a single lap.
Though Hamilton’s pride may take a hit from being outqualified by Russell, the larger concern looms regarding his capacity to capitalize on a potential title-contending Ferrari car in the future.
The Perspective of a Champion
Despite the evident strain Hamilton’s qualifying struggles are placing on him, Mercedes management remains confident in his abilities. Team principal Toto Wolff praised Hamilton’s self-reflection, stating, “The great characteristic of a champion is to first look at himself and say, ‘What did I do wrong?’ He’s trying to find where he can improve and what he could have done better.”
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also acknowledged Hamilton’s potential, emphasizing that qualifying results are secondary to race wins. “No, because he won in Spa,” Vasseur asserted. “I will take the win at the end of the race more than the pole position.”
It would be unwise to dismiss Hamilton’s talent, but self-doubt looms as he navigates his continuing quest for Saturday supremacy in Formula 1.
Credit: Sky Sports
