Lewis Hamilton had one of the worst races of his career at the Brazil GP. This is the story of the second half of the season for Hamilton and Mercedes. The squad was riding on momentum before the summer break but lost track afterward. Hamilton has been off-color throughout the season, though he won two races. Mercedes’ technical woes have played a significant role in Hamilton’s decline.
The frustration was visible after a terrible Brazilian GP, where Hamilton complained about W15’s excessive bouncing. The bouncy nature troubled the seven-time world champion, hurting his back. Thus, the Briton hinted towards ‘taking a rest’ ahead of the season’s final three races. The rumors were that the rookie Kimi Antonelli would steer Mercedes while Lewis Hamilton took an early leave. However, former F1 driver and FIA steward Johnny Herbert feels otherwise.
Johnny Herbert Predicts Hamilton “Won’t Just Drop” Mercedes In The 2024 Season Finale
Following the Brazilian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s radio comments sparked rumors that he might step away from the season’s final races. However, PlanetF1.com clarified that his message was likely directed toward his pit crew, referencing the rotation system they use rather than hinting at an early exit from his car.
Reflecting on his challenging performance in Brazil, Hamilton acknowledged that if this race marked his final performance for the season, it was disappointing due to the car’s struggles. Despite the tough weekend, he expressed gratitude for the team’s efforts. He described Mercedes’ W15 as the most challenging car he’s driven, revealing his frustration with how it handled during the race as he fought to finish in the points.
With a brief break in the calendar before the season’s final three races, Hamilton now faces a transition. After nearly a decade with Mercedes, he is expected to move to Ferrari, a shift that marks the end of an era with the team that has defined his career. Former driver Johnny Herbert weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Mercedes may increasingly focus their resources on George Russell, who will continue with the team next season. However, Herbert believes Hamilton’s departure won’t be abrupt, as he is unlikely to sever ties quickly with the team that has fueled much of his success.
Johnny Herbert Analyzes Mercedes Slump
Johnny Herbert recently shared insights on Lewis Hamilton’s current mindset. He noted that Hamilton seems eager for the season to end and looks forward to the Christmas break, an unusual sentiment for a competitor of his caliber. Herbert expressed confusion over Hamilton’s recent performances, observing that while Hamilton occasionally displays flashes of his signature speed, these moments seem to vanish inexplicably, leaving even experts puzzled.
Herbert pointed out that both Hamilton and his teammate George Russell have grappled with the unpredictable nature of Mercedes’ car this season, which performs inconsistently from one race to another. With Hamilton’s tenure at Mercedes closing, Herbert believes the team’s focus is shifting toward Russell, who is seen as Mercedes’ future leader.
In addition, young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to join Mercedes’ lineup next season, signaling the team’s commitment to cultivating new talent. Herbert expects Mercedes to channel much of their energy into supporting Russell, positioning him positively as he steps into a leadership role next year—a role he’s already begun to embrace with his strong performances.
