The only way Lewis Hamilton can win the F1 championship again is Max Verstappen

summary

  • Mercedes has struggled to keep up with Red Bull’s pace in recent years, hampering Lewis Hamilton’s championship pursuit.
  • Challenges continue for Hamilton, including aging concerns, Ferrari’s rebuild and Red Bull’s dominance.

In recent years, Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton have struggled to match the pace of rivals such as Red Bull. The last time Hamilton came close to winning the championship title was in 2021, which took a different turn due to events at the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, his racing prowess faded into obscurity as Verstappen began a winning streak with absolute dominance.

The British sensation, however, proved his steadfast competitiveness when he finished third in the championship in 2023. Like Fernando Alonso, who overcame advanced age to perform brilliantly in his early forties, Hamilton has the energy to continue competing at a high level. His track record suggests he can maintain this standard for years to come, provided Ferrari offers him a good quality car.

Can Lewis Hamilton win the title with Ferrari?

In early 2024, the 7x champion announced his move to Ferrari in 2025. While Mercedes and the F1 community were shocked by the announcement, a clause in his contract allowed him to make such a move despite being under an existing contract. . At Ferrari’s rebuilding stage, Hamilton perhaps sees his best shot at securing a championship-worthy car before retirement.

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Despite the 39-year-old’s determination to lift his eighth championship trophy, the odds are not entirely in the driver’s favour. His age may act as a hindrance to his dreams. On the other hand, in recent times, the Prancing Horse have been plagued by tactical problems that have cost them several podium finishes. If these flaws can be ironed out, Hamilton could potentially fight for his highly anticipated 8th championship.

After his championship year, it remains to be seen whether Hamilton’s ability has waned. Ferrari, meanwhile, remains in the developmental stage, a process prolonged by the constraints of the modern budget cap era. Given the superiority established by the reigning champion in recent years, it will not be easy for Hamilton to beat Verstappen.

Explaining the 3x champ’s reduced speed in 2024

Lewis Hamilton is determined to reclaim his 8th title, yet he finds himself stuck around P8 grid position instead of progressing towards his goal. It’s clear the driver isn’t enjoying the W15 from the start. However, the same cannot be said of his teammate George Russell who is optimistic about the car’s position as well as the team’s position in 2024.

Mercedes was fifth fastest in single-lap pace in 2024, still significantly behind Red Bull. During practice in Saudi Arabia, Hamilton found himself frustrated “Lack of confidence behind the wheel”, a known problem from last year. Those struggles at Jeddah reflect chronic problems for the Silver Arrows with inconsistent performances, unpredictable swings and lag in fast corners.

For the Sakhir race, Russell gave an insight into the qualifying session as he said, “I got in, the car hit the ground and I was gone because I was going 10 km/h faster than any other time this weekend.” A lack of confidence, stemming from insufficient downforce, continues to plague Mercedes. It represents the failure of the team’s efforts to overcome it.

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