Ex-F1 mechanic compares Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes struggles to Daniel Ricciardo disastrous McLaren stint
Marc Priestley recalled Daniel Ricciardo's failed stint with McLaren and compared it to Lewis Hamilton's recent performance slump.
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Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton (via GPFans)
Lewis Hamilton was hoping to end his final season with Mercedes in 2024 on a high. However, a streak of woeful performance has rendered the seven-time world champion unable to contend for a great finish in the season. As a result, with the season finale inching closer, Ex-F1 mechanic Marc Priestley recalled Daniel Ricciardo‘s failed stint with McLaren and compared it to Hamilton’s current performances.
Marc Priestley took a dig at Lewis Hamilton‘s disastrous performance this season despite the latter scoring two highly coveted race wins. Priestley questioned ‘what on earth’ happened to the seven-time world champion all of a sudden. The Former McLaren mechanic reckoned that drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Perez, and others didn’t suddenly become bad drivers.
I mean, Lewis Hamilton, what on earth happened to Lewis Hamilton? I don’t think Daniel Ricciardo, Checo Perez or Lewis Hamilton have suddenly become bad drivers.
Marc Priestely said on his Youtube Channel, @Marc Priestley F1 Elvis
Speaking upon the downfall of experienced drivers like Ricciardo, Priestley believed that the issues were in the chassis. The Englishman highlighted that the newer generation of chassis were so nuanced that they didn’t suit the veterans in Formula 1. The new challengers didn’t align with the driving style of older-generation drivers like Ricciardo, Hamilton, and others.
I think the modern generation of cars are so specific, they’re so nuanced, it’s not suiting the driving style that they’re so used to, that’s ingrained within them.
Marc Priestley added
Ferrari’s chassis might be ‘much more suited’ to Lewis Hamilton in the coming season
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari by the coming season meant that the Briton would move out of his comfort zone. Hamilton will work with the Italian constructor for the first time as he will witness a massive change in crew members. Marc Priestley believed that Ferrari’s chassis might be much more suited to the seven-time world champion. Hence, things could completely change in the coming season for the 39-year-old.
If you’re a Lewis Hamilton fan, take heart from that, it could well be that Ferrari is a car that’s much more suited to his driving style, and things could completely change. It may not, but let’s see.
Marc Priestley noted
Mercedes’s form is still improving this year as compared to the previous two seasons. The German carmaker might witness a great start to 2025 following the learnings from this time around. Ferrari on the other hand has put forth a steady performance this season and could contend for the constructors’ championship amidst improving performances.
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Aditya Pandya
(1439 Articles Published)