Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes driver’s F1 qualifying struggles analysed forward of key Azerbaijan and Singapore challenges

Regardless of having 36 extra pole positions than every other driver within the historical past of Method 1, qualifying has undoubtedly been Lewis Hamilton’s Achilles heel this season.

The seven-time world champion is down 12-4 to team-mate George Russell in Qualifying, whereas the youthful Mercedes driver additionally holds a 2-1 edge in Dash Qualifying.

Russell is a formidable opponent for any driver over one lap, incomes the nickname ‘Mr Saturday’ for his qualifying performances early in his profession at Williams, however the swing from an 11-11 head-to-head rating final season, to domination in 2024, is stunning.

Two wins in three races earlier than the summer time break confirmed that Hamilton’s race craft, specifically his capability to handle tyres over full distance, stays really elite.

A 36-point lead over his team-mate within the drivers’ standings displays Hamilton’s continued excellence on Sundays, though it have to be famous that some unhealthy luck for Russell has performed a component.

Hamilton has 104 pole positions in F1 and has been able to producing particular laps all through his historic profession, however as he approaches the age of 40, it’s truthful to marvel if his velocity over one lap is fading.

With two races upcoming in Azerbaijan and Singapore the place qualifying is especially necessary, the stress is rising on Hamilton to show he can nonetheless combine it with the very best on a Saturday.

Hamilton’s staggering Monza admission

When there are suspicions a component of sporting celebrity’s efficiency is on the decline, it could often be the media who level it out.

Take, for instance, continued dialogue over whether or not Cristiano Ronaldo nonetheless possesses the attributes required to play worldwide soccer for Portugal.

Considerably surprisingly, in Hamilton’s case essentially the most damning criticism has come from the person himself, as he appeared to lastly boil over following Italian Grand Prix Qualifying.

Not for the primary time this season, Hamilton had gave the impression to be in rivalry for pole all through observe and even the early levels of qualifying, however within the crunch time of Q3 didn’t put collectively a clear lap and ended up sixth on the grid.

His frustration was little question heightened by the very fact he was outperformed by Russell, who took third regardless of having had restricted observe time after Hamilton’s 2025 substitute Andrea Kimi Antonelli pranged his automotive throughout the weekend’s opening session.

Hamilton advised Sky Sports activities F1: “I’m livid, completely livid. I may have been on pole, not less than on the entrance row. I simply did not do the job on the finish.

“No one to blame but myself. Qualifying has been my weakness for a minute now and I can’t figure it out.

“The automotive felt higher than final race and the group deserve higher. Possibly they’ll get that with Kimi.”

Continuing his quite staggering series of remarks, speaking to the written media moments later, he added: “I am simply not excellent at qualifying, easy as.”

Is a technical challenge hampering Hamilton?

So why is the game’s biggest driver, not less than in line with the statistics, struggling?

Firstly, it is necessary to acknowledge that Russell is clearly doing an outstanding job. Even a below-par Hamilton will not be straightforward to dominate, and the stress Russell is making use of to his team-mate along with his consistency could also be taking part in a component.

From a technical standpoint, the closest factor we have needed to an evidence got here from Mercedes technical director James Allison.

Talking in June, at which level Russell had constructed an 8-1 qualifying benefit over Hamilton, Allison recommended the newest technology of F1 automobiles don’t swimsuit the latter’s driving fashion on a flying lap.

“Lewis has, not by accident, been the best qualifier in the history of the sport, because I think he’s been the best driver in the sport, but he’s struggling to make it stick this year by fine margins,” Allison stated.

“I think, to a degree,” Allison stated. “The current car-tyre combo, not just us, across the pit lane, it doesn’t like being hustled – you almost get the best lap times when you’re not trying.

“When the automotive is producing good laps, the drivers are nearly like, ‘I wasn’t anticipating that, I used to be nearly cruising.’

“And when it’s qualifying and the pressure’s on and it’s time to deliver, I don’t think those are the circumstances that get the best from quite fussy tyres.”

If Allison’s suspicions are true, one can safely assume that he would have mentioned them with Hamilton, and that the Brit would have absolutely tried to regulate his strategy to qualifying.

This can be the place Hamilton’s Monza frustration is coming from, that he has up to now been unable to discover a technique to get the very best out the W15 when it issues most.

Strain solely set to accentuate

Whereas Hamilton has been capable of overcome his qualifying woes with good drives on a number of events this season, such recoveries will probably be very troublesome to tug off over the following two weekends.

Overtaking was close to inconceivable final yr in Baku, and whereas the DRS zone is prone to be lengthened to create extra leisure, it’s nonetheless a circuit the place making ahead progress could be a main problem.

For instance, if a driver had been to qualify decrease down the sector, there’s the potential to get caught in a DRS practice that might get make pulling off passes on the primary straight very robust.

Passing at Baku would possibly show to be a relative breeze in comparison with Singapore, the place even an enormous tempo benefit is not sufficient to ensure clearing these forward on monitor.

This was greatest evidenced within the thrilling levels of final yr’s race as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz held off Lando Norris and George Russell to win.

Hamilton will know that there isn’t any room for error over the following two Saturdays, additional ramping up the stress of him to ship.

One other issue that might quickly start to play on his thoughts is that his problem will not be easing subsequent yr, along with his subsequent team-mate Charles Leclerc thought-about by many to be F1’s quickest driver over one lap.

Whereas being outqualified by a team-mate will little question dent Hamilton’s pleasure, the largest concern for him will probably be not with the ability to take full benefit within the occasion Ferrari are capable of present him with a title-challenging automotive subsequent season.

‘The attribute of a champion’

It is clear that the state of affairs is inflicting some fairly important misery to Hamilton, however his present and future employers appear to be much less involved.

Reacting to Hamilton’s self-critique in Italy, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insisted the feedback had been these of “a champion” and that the Brit continues to set an amazing instance for Russell and Antonelli.

Wolff stated: “I think the great characteristic of a champion is to first look at himself and say, ‘What did I do wrong?’

“And I feel that is what he is doing. He is looking for the place he can enhance, what he may have completed higher and the place he is misplaced their efficiency.

“He’s been very strong, and was a role model for George, and even for Kimi. It’s something that is important for the team. But the greatest of all time are very critical.”

As for Ferrari group principal Fred Vasseur, the Frenchman stated that he’s not fearful about Hamilton’s type given the race outcomes the longer term Ferrari driver has been attaining.

“No because he won in Spa,” Vasseur stated. “I will take the win at the end of the race more than the pole position.”

It might be silly ever to rely Hamilton out, however there’s actually doubt – most crucially from the person himself – as as to if he can regain the shape that after noticed him dominate Saturdays.

Method 1 leaves mainland Europe for Baku and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime