Lewis Hamilton hasn’t won a race in Formula 1 for nearly two years and it’s unlikely the seven-time world champion will end his frustrating run in Las Vegas on Sunday
Lewis Hamilton has admitted Mercedes don’t have a “race-winning car” – casting doubt over their Las Vegas Grand Prix hopes.
Toto Wolff’s Mercedes are on the verge of completing their first winless campaign in Formula 1 since 2011, with only two races remaining. The first takes place in Paradise on Sunday before the season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on November 26.
Max Verstappen is expected to win in both Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, having won 17 of the previous 20 races this season to defend his world title. His team Red Bull have also won the Constructors’ Championship, sitting 400 points ahead of Mercedes in second.
Mercedes are in danger of slipping to third in table, as they are only 20 points ahead of Ferrari. Wolff will be desperate for drivers Hamilton and George Russell to keep hold of second spot, but their car might not be good enough to do that.
Hamilton has raised concerns about his motor ahead of Sunday’s race. Mercedes struggled last time out in Brazil, with Hamilton finishing eighth and Russell retiring. The seven-time world champion was asked about that poor result during a chat with Sky Sports.
Hamilton responded, “Yes, we are fully aware of what went wrong. Nevertheless, in the end, we didn’t perform well. We learned a great deal from it about where we need to go and how we need to advance. You can always learn a great deal through failure.
“Mostly, those experiences teach you something. I believe that by coming here, hopefully, our strategy will be better. However, we are still unsure of how the car will arrive. It still hasn’t won a world championship, and I doubt it has even won a race.”
Chief executive Officer Wolff of Mercedes is prepared to address the team’s subpar vehicle. After the Brazilian Grand Prix, he stated, “It is completely absurd and unacceptable.” Although that didn’t seem like a solid team today, we are a proper structure and a solid team.
“It was the worst weekend I’ve had in 13 years, personally (in F1).” That car’s development has been about applying plasters to things that weren’t quite right, and it demonstrates how erratic it can be.
“We will fundamentally be driving a different car next year, and today confirms that this is the correct decision. The team as a whole is in terrible shape. And I hope we could focus on these things to begin the new season.
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