Lewis Hamilton Faces Harsh Criticism Amid Worst Start to F1 Season
Lewis Hamilton is enduring his worst-ever start to a Formula 1 season, drawing criticism for allegedly refusing to accept the true state of Mercedes’ 2024 car, the W15. Former F1 technical director Gary Anderson has weighed in, suggesting Hamilton should take a page from teammate George Russell’s playbook and adapt more constructively.
With just 19 points from the first 19 races of the season, Hamilton’s campaign has been dismal. As tensions rise between the seven-time world champion and Mercedes, his upcoming departure to Ferrari could be seen as well-timed.
Hamilton has openly criticized the W15 and experimented with various setups. However, Anderson believes the British driver is in denial about Mercedes’ overall struggles and performance limitations.
“There might be something in Hamilton chasing the few moments when Mercedes hit the sweet spot in recent years,” Anderson told The Telegraph. “But it’s been rare—just two poles and one win since 2021. Overall, the car lacks consistency, and Hamilton doesn’t seem willing to accept that, which might be misleading him.”
Anderson also warned that Hamilton’s approach could be harmful to Mercedes’ long-term development. He argued that inconsistent or misdirected setup choices hinder the team’s ability to create a solid performance baseline, affecting everything from aerodynamic improvement to effective use of wind tunnel data.
“A team needs clear feedback to develop properly,” Anderson said. “If that’s missing, the team is left directionless. Hamilton’s still struggling, but at least he knows he’s leaving soon. In the meantime, he should learn from Russell to avoid finishing the season as the second-best driver at Mercedes.”
With 19 races left before his move to Ferrari, Hamilton is determined to end his Mercedes chapter on a high note. He remains focused on adding to his 103 career victories, with the next opportunity coming at the Miami Grand Prix—one of three races in the U.S. this season.
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