Lewis Hamilton topped the timing sheets in Friday Practice at Las Vegas, showing promising speed in the W15. However, he is doubtful his car will behave in the same way for qualifying and Sunday’s race.
Hamilton speaks candidly about W15 inconsistency
For a large part of the season, Lewis Hamilton has struggled with the characteristics of his W15.
It is not uncommon for the 7-time Champion to complain about large swings in performance between Free Practice and qualifying.
This unusual trend has contributed to the souring relationship between Hamilton and Mercedes, with the British driver growing frustrated over the course of the year.
Comments from Toto Wolff since the Brazilian GP, where the Mercedes team principal discussed Hamilton’s “shelf life” haven’t helped tensions between both parties.
Smooth Fp1 and FP2 running
When meeting with the media after Friday, the 39-year-old made no secret of his doubts:
“I mean that’s the first time I’ve had a day like that this year so. The car was feeling generally good in FP1, in FP2 less so.
“Difficult to know exactly where we are or why we are where we are but really enjoying driving the track.
“I think we’ll see whether the car is the same tomorrow.
“The race pace is not that great. So the work we have to do overnight is to figure out how to have better race pace – without losing actual pace throughout the lap.
“But it was nice to get consecutive sectors, and the car not throwing me off – which was nice.”
A difficult end to a historic partnership
When Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari was announced in February, first reactions were a combination of shock and scepticism.
Considering the success Hamilton and Mercedes have enjoyed as a partnership, seeing the 7-time Champion part ways was understandably difficult for the F1 paddock to rationalise.
In a similar fashion to his choice to leave McLaren ahead of the 2024 season, the British driver faced plenty of questions about his rationale.
With that said, events in recent months suggest that joining Ferrari could be a mutually beneficial decision.
Ferrari are currently fighting for the constructors title, enjoying a significantly better year than Mercedes.
Assuming Fred Vasseur’s team can carry their momentum into next year, Hamilton should be fighting for regular victories at the Maranello squad.
With relations at Mercedes slowly deteriorating, a change of scenery will be more than welcome.
For the Brackley-based team, Hamilton’s departure – though obviously a huge loss – gives them an opportunity to promote Kimi Antonelli.
In a little over four months, the 18-year-old will show if he is capable of putting pressure on George Russell – or if Toto Wolff was hasty in promoting such a young driver directly into the main team.
