Breaking: ‘Mercedes right to snub Hamilton quit threat due to Antonelli…read more
‘Mercedes right to snub Hamilton quit threat due to Antonelli…read more
Mercedes’ decision not to entertain Lewis Hamilton’s recent hints about stepping back is wise, according to F1 experts, especially given the potential risks of fast-tracking young driver Kimi Antonelli. Despite a challenging race at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Hamilton placed 10th and likened his W15 car to “a plank of wood,” Mercedes has opted to keep Hamilton in the driver’s seat. The seven-time champion’s recent comments suggest he may sit out the final races of the season, even contemplating a “holiday” instead of the scheduled races in Las Vegas and Qatar. However, Mercedes quickly dismissed this idea, likely hoping to give Hamilton a fitting send-off before he departs for Ferrari in 2025.
Adam Dickinson, speaking on the Total Motorsport F1 Show, believes that while Hamilton’s frustrations with the W15 are understandable, he bears some responsibility for his disappointing race. He pointed out that teammate George Russell, piloting the same car, was within striking distance of a podium at Interlagos, suggesting Hamilton’s struggles may be due to personal factors beyond the car’s limitations. “For Hamilton, maybe there’s other factors behind the scenes that make it more difficult for him than Russell. But it’s really just an off weekend for him. He clearly didn’t get it sorted in practice,” Dickinson said, emphasizing that Hamilton should own up to his performance as well.
There have been suggestions that Mercedes might give Antonelli some track time in Hamilton’s absence, but this is unlikely given the importance of Hamilton’s presence in the car and his wealth of experience. Mercedes has confirmed that there are no plans to put the young Italian in the car prematurely. With only a few races remaining, Mercedes would rather let Antonelli debut under less challenging circumstances.
Dickinson suggests that Antonelli may still see some track time in Abu Dhabi’s FP1 session, as teams often allow rookies a taste of the track in the season’s final race. However, he warned that benching Hamilton to give Antonelli race experience might carry more risks than rewards, citing examples like Logan Sargeant at Williams. Brandon Sutton, also on the F1 Show, highlighted how placing an inexperienced driver in a challenging car can backfire, potentially undermining their confidence. “If you bunged him into a car that’s no good, how much good experience is he going to get out of it? It could actually end up shattering his confidence,” Sutton added.
In essence, Mercedes is looking out for both Hamilton and Antonelli, aiming to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the young driver while still maximizing Hamilton’s valuable contributions in the remaining races.
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