Lewis Hamilton caused a stir in the F1 paddock by signing a contract with Ferrari, leading to a noticeable tension between him and the Mercedes management. While both parties attempt to maintain a facade of normalcy, their comments hint at underlying issues.
As the season unfolds, it is likely that Mercedes will begin to exclude Hamilton from future strategic discussions to safeguard their confidential information, particularly given his impending move to a rival team. An F1 insider recently observed a strange thing during the Singapore GP. The renowned F1 expert Gary Anderson asserts that the inevitable has occurred: Mercedes has begun to exclude Lewis Hamilton from its discussions.
Is Lewis Hamilton Getting Phased Out From The Mercedes Pre-Race Meetings?
During the Singapore Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton and his race engineer, Bono, exchanged notable words regarding an early pit stop. Hamilton expressed confusion about the timing of the pit stop call, especially since he had begun the race on soft tires. The team’s decision to bring him in early disappointed the British driver.
Gary Anderson offered insights into this situation, suggesting that Hamilton’s surprise at the early pit stop could indicate he was not heavily involved in the pre-race strategy discussions. He noted that Hamilton’s radio communications indicated a lack of awareness regarding the pit stop window, implying that he might not have been a significant part of the planning process leading up to the race. This observation questions Hamilton’s role in strategic decisions during race weekends.
However, the 39-year-old himself earlier predicted the inevitable of being left out of the meetings. The seasoned racer understands the dynamics of Formula One world and understands that, at some point, he might have to step away from the strategic discussions. Moreover, F1 pundits like Eddie Jordan and Guenther Steiner also suggested that the Silver Arrows make the tough decision. The expert unanimously advised the German Marque to keep Hamilton out of future discussions to safeguard the information.
Lewis Hamilton Dismisses Outsider Treatment To Be A Part Of Mercedes Meeting
Earlier in July, Lewis Hamilton clarified that he has not been excluded from any team meetings and continues to collaborate with Mercedes in their efforts to improve the car’s performance. He expressed his long-standing commitment to the team, indicating that if there comes a time when the management prefers he not attend certain meetings, he would understand and accept that decision.
Hamilton acknowledged that while exclusion might be inevitable at some point, he believes that any information he gathers this season will not influence his future with Ferrari, as he is no longer in direct communication with Mercedes regarding next year’s plans.