Ferrari ought to use the Method 1 low season to “rebuild” Lewis Hamilton’s confidence in his qualifying capacity, based on Sky Sports activities F1‘s Karun Chandhok.
Hamilton has struggled over one lap this season, being outqualified by Mercedes team-mate George Russell 23-6 throughout each grand prix and Dash periods this season, however the pair have appeared intently matched when it comes to race tempo.
This weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, reside on Sky Sports activities, would be the final of Hamilton’s historic 12-year stint with Mercedes earlier than his blockbuster transfer to Ferrari subsequent season.
Talking on the most recent episode of the Sky Sports activities F1 Podcast, Chandhok expressed doubt over whether or not Hamilton will be capable of match the velocity of his new team-mate Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.
“Personally, I think it’s going to be a problem in 2025 unless he can rediscover his qualifying form,” Chandhok stated. “I do not know whether or not (Ferrari chairman) John Elkann and (Ferrari group principal) Fred Vasseur are frightened, but when I used to be Lewis, I might be frightened.
“In the event you’re two tenths off, it may be 4 or 5 locations. We have seen this yr with George, he is typically been a little bit bit off after which he is three, 4 locations.
“He had an excellent race (in Las Vegas) and Fred Vasseur shortly pointed that out. However in qualifying, he nonetheless made two errors. And it was George who bought pole.
“If Lewis hadn’t made those mistakes, he would have won that race. I think he had amazing race pace. So, there’s no doubt about it, on a Sunday, the magic is still there.
“We noticed it at Silverstone, we have seen it in locations like Barcelona as properly, the place it is type of been underneath the radar. The magic remains to be there on a Sunday, however his qualifying kind is an actual fear.”
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Lewis Hamilton apologises for the false begin and pit lane incident however says the he and the Mercedes automotive ‘do not get alongside’ after a twelfth place end in Qatar
Hamilton has claimed a document 104 pole positions throughout his F1 profession, however the seven-time world champion has solely began from the entrance of the grid on one event throughout the final three seasons, on the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Other than three days of pre-season testing in February, Hamilton’s solely possibilities to drive a Ferrari earlier than his debut marketing campaign with the Italian will are available in restricted periods by which groups are in a position to run their earlier automobiles.
Chandhok believes Ferrari ought to imagine any working Hamilton does earlier than the 2025 season begins ought to be largely targeted on qualifying efficiency.
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Lewis Hamilton pleads with Peter Bonnington to ‘retire the automotive’ after receiving a drive-through penalty.
“Whether they use the old car testing that they’re going to do with a 2022 or 2023 car to just go out there and give him loads of new tyre qualifying runs to try to just build his confidence back up, I don’t know,” Chandhok added.
“He seems extraordinarily low on confidence when it comes to qualifying, which again is bizarre to see, but it’s true.
“Ferrari must be proactive, I feel, when it comes to rebuilding his confidence earlier than the season in Melbourne.”
Wolff thanks Hamilton forward of Abu Dhabi ‘celebration’
Forward of Hamilton’s Mercedes farewell, Silver Arrows group principal Toto Wolff has insisted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix shall be “a celebration” of every part driver and group have achieved collectively.
“After 12 incredible years, we get ready to write the final chapter in our racing story with Lewis this weekend,” Wolff stated in Mercedes’ official occasion preview.
“It has been quite a journey. When we first started working together in 2013, we couldn’t have imagined what was to come. Six Drivers’ World Championships. Eight Constructors’ titles. 84 wins. 78 pole positions. 153 podium finishes. The most successful driver and team partnership in F1 history. Many highs that we have enjoyed. Some crushing lows that we’ve overcome together.
“Our relationship has meant so much more than just numbers and statistics, though. It is a legacy that transcends our sport, with a lasting impact beyond the racetrack. One that has strived to increase diversity in our sport. To fight for inclusion. Lewis has been the catalyst for so much of this and we have been honoured and proud to work hand-in-hand with him. That work won’t stop at the end of this year. But it began because of the impetus led by Lewis.
“This weekend is a celebration. A celebration of every part that we’ve achieved collectively. Lewis’ affiliation with Mercedes goes again 26 years. Each lap of his profession to this point has been powered by the three-pointed star.”
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Forward of his last race for Mercedes in Abu Dhabi, have a look again at his debut race with the Silver Arrows on the 2013 Australian Grand Prix
Wolff confirmed {that a} farewell tour of types for Hamilton will embrace stops on the group’s title sponsor Petronas’ headquarters in Malaysia, together with Mercedes’ factories in Germany and the UK.
“We will honour this unparalleled story in Abu Dhabi and across the following week as we visit Kuala Lumpur, Stuttgart, then finally Brixworth and Brackley,” Wolff stated. “And honour it knowing that, whilst this phase of our relationship is coming to an end, Lewis will always be a part of our family.
“For now, although, our full focus is on the race weekend. There isn’t any higher technique to mark the tip of our time collectively than with a powerful efficiency on the observe. The whole group is targeted on including yet another spotlight to the reel.
“We also want to end the season on the front foot. That will help us carry momentum into the winter and onwards as we open the next chapter in our story in 2025. With George as the senior driver and Kimi as an exciting rookie talent, our future is bright. But let’s end this present chapter in the right way. Thank you, Lewis: for one final time, let’s do this.”
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Former F1 World Champion Jenson Button has urged Lewis Hamilton to displays on feedback he made concerning the velocity of his driving urging him to replicate on the actual fact he isn’t ‘gradual’
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Thursday December 5
11am: Drivers’ Press Convention
Friday December 6
5.45am: F1 Academy Observe
7am: F2 Observe
9am: Abu Dhabi GP Observe One (session begins at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying
12.45pm: Abu Dhabi GP Observe Two (session begins at 1pm)*
2.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*
3.15pm: The F1 Present*
Saturday December 7
8.10am: F1 Academy Race One
10.15am: Abu Dhabi GP Observe Three (session begins at 10.30am)
12.10pm: F2 Dash Race
1.15pm: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: ABU DHABI GP QUALIFYING*
4pm: F1 Academy: Race Two
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday December 8
7.10am: F1 Academy Race Three
9.20am: F2 Function Race
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi GP build-up
1pm: The ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Abu Dhabi GP response
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally reside on Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion
Watch the ultimate race of the 2024 Method 1 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – reside this coming week on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s race at 1pm. Get Sky Sports activities F1 or stream with NOW
