Devastated’ Lewis Hamilton Demands Mercedes ‘Accountability’ After A Terrible Season
The turbo hybrid era of Formula One witnessed the rise of Lewis Hamilton. When the Briton joined hands with Mercedes in 2013, he was a talented racer looking to establish himself. From 2014 onwards, he won six consecutive world titles, re-writing the history books. Hamilton transitioned from being a racing prodigy into a motorsport legend. In 2021, the Briton was on the verge of breaking Michael Schumacher’s record of most world titles. However, due to a controversial decision, Max Verstappen was crowned the champion.
Since then, the seven-time world champion seemed to have lost his charm. The ground effect regulations have relegated Mercedes to a midfield team, removing them from contention for world titles. No matter what the technical team tried, the F1 car never performed consistently. This was the reason Lewis Hamilton decided to swap sides and sign a Ferrari contract. However, the Briton wanted to end a decade-long stint on a high note and, thus, expected a competitive car. Sadly, it was impossible, as the lackluster W15 ruined his 2024 season. While Hamilton secured a couple of race victories, it wasn’t sufficient to mask the underlying issues. As a result, the Briton is committed to taking responsibility for everything that went awry.
Lewis Hamilton faced another disappointing race, finishing in 10th place and unable to overtake Liam Lawson’s Red Bull. He described the weekend as “crap” and expressed a desire for his time at Mercedes to end, acknowledging that the historic driver-team partnership is approaching its conclusion with only three races left. Hamilton admitted that it was “devastating” to experience such poor performances, especially in the second half of the season, as speculation about his potential move to Ferrari intensified.
He emphasized the team’s need for accountability, stating that the results have been unacceptable despite their efforts to improve. Hamilton acknowledged that the car’s performance in Brazil was the worst he had encountered, indicating a need for further investigation into the issues. Nonetheless, he praised the mechanics for their dedication, noting that they had put in significant effort, including practice stops at 4 a.m. He pointed out that while one car performed better, there is still potential for improvement moving forward.
Hamilton expressed his frustration with the team’s performance, acknowledging, “We were just slow; it was really, really tough.” Despite this, he commended his team’s commitment and early arrival and highlighted George Russell’s stronger performance.
Throughout the weekend, Hamilton battled with severe porpoising and dissatisfaction with his W15’s setup, likening the car to “a plank of wood,” which made it difficult for him to gain traction. He noted that it provided the worst ride he had ever experienced, especially in corners, and expressed hope that the next tracks would be smoother. Hamilton also hinted at a longing for a break, suggesting that the demanding season had significantly affected him.
