VERSTAPPEN Max (ned), Red Bull Racing RB19, portrait ALONSO Fernando (spa), Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23, portrait HAMILTON Lewis (gbr), Mercedes AMG F1 Team W14, portrait press conference during the Formula 1 Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada, 8th round of the
2R82HRG VERSTAPPEN Max (ned), Red Bull Racing RB19, portrait ALONSO Fernando (spa), Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23, portrait HAMILTON Lewis (gbr), Mercedes AMG F1 Team W14, portrait press conference during the Formula 1 Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada, 8th round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship from June 16 to 18, 2023 on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, in Montreal, Canada – Photo Xavi Bonilla/DPPI Credit: DPPI Media/Alamy Live News

Sir Lewis Hamilton was hoping to end his collaboration with Mercedes on a high note. However, the way the 2024 season started does not raise hope. Prior to the current season, the great Briton shocked the fans after announcing his move to Ferrari. Hence, 2024 marks the end of the epic partnership between a team and a superstar racer that dominated the grid for almost a decade. It is the final season when Hamilton will be wearing the Mercedes uniform. From the following year, the seven-time champion will wear the iconic “Red Uniform” of the Italian team. But Lewis Hamilton had the intention to help the Silver Arrows fight for the title one last time.

However, the W15 car is not making Hamilton too happy with his chances this year. The first couple of races of the current season proved that Red Bull is still way ahead of the rest. Moreover, Mercedes is not even faster than Ferrari in 2024. Lewis Hamilton said the high-speed circuits are causing the biggest hurdle for the German team again. They still don’t have the performance in the car to handle the high-speed range tracks well. As a result, Hamilton is not having the kind of final season with Mercedes he was hoping for. 

   

Mercedes W15 Is Not Letting Lewis Hamilton Have Fun

Mercedes W15
Mercedes W15 Source: RacingNews365

Recently, Lewis Hamilton told the media, including Sportskeeda, that the next few races will present a lot of challenges for them. Moreover, the seven-time champion believes that Mercedes has a disadvantage with W15 in all the high-speed circuits. They just don’t have the package that impresses Hamilton at present. Later, the great British racer talked about the first two races when he said, “I’m certainly not having fun at the moment.” He explained why he is not having a great time. It is because racing for P9 is no fun. However, what Hamilton likes is the “Actual racing part.”

The seven-time champion said that he is still enjoying that part. Moreover, the Mercedes superstar mentioned that he was trying as hard as he could to get the most out of the car. The only racer to win over 100 F1 Grands Prix said that he was hunting and pushing really hard. Moreover, he maximized everything he had with W15 in the last two races. Lewis Hamilton mentioned he was right on the edge. Unfortunately for Mercedes, the rest of the teams were walking “All over us” at high speed due to lack of performance in the car. 

The Seven-Time Champion Also Talked About The Advantages and Disadvantages Of W15

Mercedes
Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

Clearly, Mercedes needs more downforce than they needed last year. However, Lewis Hamilton mentioned the positive side: the car is good at low-speed corners. All they need to do is add a lot of load “at high speed.” Hamilton feels that if they manage to do that, it will put them in the fight.

In Jeddah, Hamilton said he felt like he was in a different category from other drivers in the high-speed era. Hence, they have a lot of work to do at the moment. Moreover, Hamilton had the worst start of his career in the ground effect era this season. Hence, he will be hoping for a reversal of fortunes.

Stay tuned to Sports News International for more such updates about your favorite F1 team.