The latter half of Lewis Hamilton’s concluding season with Mercedes in Formula 1 has spiraled into a series of “devastating” performances, hitting a new low at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where the buzz of excitement usually surrounds the event.
Hamilton’s disheartening 10th place finish, following an unexpected exit in Q1 and a race filled with frustration as he found himself trapped in a lengthy battle between RB driver Liam Lawson and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, starkly contrasts with his notable mid-season achievements that included two spectacular wins across three races, painting a picture of a once-promising season that has crumbled.
When asked by The Race whether he might be eager to swiftly reach the conclusion of a clearly disappointing season, especially given Mercedes’ ongoing struggle with an inconsistent car that lags behind the performance of the top three teams, Hamilton candidly replied: “No, it can’t come soon enough,” showcasing his growing impatience as the season drags on.
As he gears up to leave Mercedes after an impressive 11-year stint and transition to Ferrari next year, the current season has fallen short of both his and the team’s aspirations. Although he was able to snap a two-year winless streak at the British Grand Prix back in July, and clinched another victory in Belgium shortly thereafter, this farewell journey has not materialized as the triumphant send-off they envisioned.
Mercedes has descended from its mid-season highs, now finding itself a distant fourth in the constructors’ championship standings. In Brazil, Hamilton had a disappointing experience at one of his favorite circuits, finishing without any points in 11th place during the sprint and managing to collect merely one point in the main grand prix.
There’s understandably little inclination to engage in a public post-mortem of their struggles, but Hamilton has consistently pointed to the limitations within the car as the root of their troubles.
He did not hold back when he referred to the race as “crap,” quickly added, “let’s not talk about the car, because you know the car is no good,” and encapsulated his weekend experience with a sigh, saying: “Yesterday was terrible, today was terrible. The car’s just been bad all weekend.” Such attributed malaise underscores the depth of his frustrations throughout this challenging leg of the season.
The only moment of joy came when he had the chance to drive Ayrton Senna’s iconic 1990 McLaren MP4/5, an experience he seemed to relish as a departure from the monotony of another difficult race weekend, particularly given the noticeable gap to his teammate, George Russell.
Despite battling performance issues, which saw Russell only manage sixth in the sprint, he found himself leading early on in the wet Brazilian Grand Prix, securing a respectable fourth-place finish. He likely could have reached the podium if not for a mid-race red flag that granted Max Verstappen and the two Alpines an opportunity for a free tire change, leaving Hamilton far removed from that competitive action and marking one of his least favorable weekends of the season.
Qualifying issues have increasingly plagued Hamilton since the summer break, reflected in his starting positions dropping to 14th or lower in four out of seven races during this stretch, with his best finish being a mere fourth place. In a previous race in the US, he faced disappointment with a Q1 exit, followed by a spin into the gravel just two laps in, marking more setbacks in an already tumultuous season.
“It’s devastating to have these bad races in the second half of the season,” Hamilton admitted, acknowledging the severity of the situation. “But all I can say is we’re trying. It’s definitely not acceptable, it’s definitely not good enough. And we have to take accountability, I have to take accountability, marking a moment of soul-searching amidst the chaos.
“But I am doing the best with what I’ve got. The car has been the worst this weekend, and I don’t know what it is; we’re going to have to find out what it is,” he expressed, emphasizing the weight of his challenges and the need for answers. Not for the first time, he hinted at a disparity in the quality of the equipment being utilized at Mercedes. He said, “one of the cars is working a lot better, so there’s obviously potential there,” echoing earlier sentiments this season about the inexplicable drop in his pace during qualifying even after outperforming Russell in practice sessions.
In Brazil, he jestingly exclaimed, “I’ll give you a million dollars” if anyone had the answer for why he is consistently struggling with the car, feeling a deep sense of frustration and uncertainty. However, his comments conveyed a growing resignation to the difficulty of reversing the current trend in the final three races.
Perhaps there exists a fundamental incompatibility with this final iteration of Mercedes car, the nature of these vehicles, and the type of tire being used, as indicated by the palpable disappointment and resignation in Hamilton’s tone, as well as his eagerness for the season to come to a close. This emotional backdrop could hinder his ability to extract the remaining performance still present in the vehicle, adding another layer of challenge to the already complex circumstances.
He certainly doesn’t express concern about the championship standings, which is a fortunate relief given that he has descended to seventh place and is on track for the worst result of his illustrious career in the sport.
“I just want to keep the car out the wall and try to score points if I can for the team,” Hamilton said as he reflected on his motivations in the remaining races. “If I can finish well and they give me a car that doesn’t bounce off the track in the next few races, then hopefully we get a better result.” The focus now lies on the immediate future, as he concluded with a hopeful, “Looking forward to Christmas,” encapsulating his desire for a positive change ahead.
Although Hamilton once aspired for a fitting end to his tenure, his current sentiment suggests a longing for the season to merely end, a perspective that could impede the performance of both driver and team as they navigate this rocky road together.
**Interview with Formula 1 Expert, Dr. Sarah Thompson on Lewis Hamilton’s Struggles in 2021 Season**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Thompson. It seems like Lewis Hamilton’s season concluded with more questions than answers. What’s your take on his recent performances, particularly the Brazilian Grand Prix?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me! Hamilton’s recent performances have indeed been quite concerning. His 10th place finish in Brazil is a stark reflection of the struggles he’s faced during the latter half of the season. It’s unusual for a driver of his caliber to find himself embroiled in battles for lower points, particularly considering how dominant he and Mercedes were just a couple of years ago.
**Editor:** Indeed, Hamilton has openly voiced his frustrations regarding the car’s performance. How significant do you think the car’s limitations are in this scenario?
**Dr. Thompson:** The car’s performance is paramount in Formula 1. As Hamilton mentioned, when he says it’s “bad all weekend,” that’s a significant admission. A driver at his level can only extract so much from a poorly balanced car. The contrasting performance with his teammate, George Russell, further highlights those issues. If one driver is managing to perform better and podium, it indicates potential disparities in car setup or even inherent issues with Hamilton’s car itself.
**Editor:** It seems like Hamilton’s confidence is wavering, especially as he prepares to leave Mercedes for Ferrari next year. Do you think these struggles will have a lingering impact on his performance with Ferrari?
**Dr. Thompson:** That’s a great question. On one hand, leaving a challenging season behind could serve as a fresh start, but a season filled with frustrations might dent a driver’s confidence. However, Hamilton is known for his mental resilience. If he can channel the motivation of beginning a new chapter at Ferrari, it might reignite that competitive fire in him.
**Editor:** Interestingly, despite the tough weekends, he seemed to find a silver lining driving Ayrton Senna’s McLaren. What does that say about his connection to the sport?
**Dr. Thompson:** That experience clearly resonated with him. It highlights Hamilton’s deep appreciation for Formula 1’s history and his place within it. Such moments can serve as much-needed motivation and remind him of the joy of driving, even amid adversity. It’s a beautiful connection that can potentially reinvigorate him for the future.
**Editor:** As Hamilton reflects on his season, what key takeaways should the Mercedes team focus on moving forward?
**Dr. Thompson:** Accountability and adaptation are crucial. They need to analyze the discrepancies between drivers and understand why Hamilton’s performance has dipped so significantly. Emphasizing a more responsive car that suits Hamilton’s driving style will be key for their success next season. They must leverage their engineering prowess and perhaps learn from the mistakes of this season to return as a more formidable contender.
**Editor:** Excellent insights, Dr. Thompson. Thank you for sharing your expertise on Hamilton’s challenging season and its implications for both him and the Mercedes team as they plan for the future.
**Dr. Thompson:** My pleasure! Let’s hope for an exciting new chapter ahead for Hamilton and Formula 1!
