Lewis Hamilton admits he has been ‘SH*T’ in qualifying in the last two years
Hamilton has 104 pole positions and 103 wins, but he hasn't won in over 20 months.
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Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez. (Via IMAGO)
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time champion, has found himself in an unexpected rut. While he has consistently outperformed his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, on race days, Lewis Hamilton admits that his qualifying performance has been, in his own words, “sh*t” for the past two seasons.
Reflecting on his recent performance, Hamilton said, “My ratings have been sh*t the last two years. That has to change. I’m blunt, terrible, and way below average.” He asserted, “That has to change.” Over the past two years, when comparing qualifying performances head-to-head with George Russell, Hamilton and Russell have been evenly matched.
Hamilton’s self-critique is surprising, given his reputation as one of F1’s greatest qualifiers. His driving style, characterized by late braking and impeccable car control, has allowed him to build substantial leads over formidable teammates throughout his career. With a remarkable 104 pole positions and 103 wins to his name, it’s been over 20 months since he last tasted victory.
Lewis Hamilton claims of studying data for Japanese GP qualifying edge
After the Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton had hoped for a change in mentality but found himself still immersed in introspection.“Saturday night I was very quiet. I went to sleep hoping to wake up with a better mentality on Sunday,” the Mercedes driver said.“But I woke up still very thoughtful,” he admitted.
To improve his qualifying form, Hamilton is diving deep into data analysis for the Japanese GP. “I wanted to arrive at this weekend with a positive mindset, and I also took a look at the data from the past GP and made notes to understand step by step how I got into that situation and what I have to do to move forward,” he said.
The frustration in Hamilton’s voice is palpable as he acknowledges his recent struggles in qualifying. He has secured Mercedes’ only pole position this season but believes that he can do better. As the Japanese GP inches closer, Mercedes have to do everything in their power to outscore Red Bull. Failing to do so, Red Bull will win their sixth constructors’ trophy.
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Rohit Bhaskar
(727 Articles Published)