Breaking: Lewis Hamilton hit with “scepticism in his…read more
Lewis Hamilton hit with “scepticism in his…read more
Lewis Hamilton may have delivered a strong performance in Friday’s practice sessions at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but his comments hinted at lingering doubts about Mercedes’ consistency. The seven-time World Champion topped both sessions, with teammate George Russell finishing second in the first and third in the second, giving the Mercedes camp a reason for cautious optimism.
Hamilton praised the W15’s performance but added a telling caveat: “We’ll see whether the car is still the same tomorrow.” Sky Sports pundit Danica Patrick weighed in, noting, “You could hear the scepticism in his voice. They have never fully come to grips with this car. I’d love to see him finish strongly with Mercedes, but there’s always uncertainty.”
Patrick highlighted Ferrari’s impressive race pace this season as a significant challenge for Hamilton and Mercedes, adding that Hamilton’s enthusiasm, even on a practice day, reflects his competitive spirit. “As a competitor, there is no way to turn it off. Hopefully, Mercedes maintains this momentum through the weekend. With Hamilton and Russell being seasoned drivers who rarely make mistakes, this could work in their favor,” she added.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix marks one of Hamilton’s final three races with Mercedes before he moves to Ferrari in 2025, seeking a record-breaking eighth championship. The past three seasons have been difficult for the British driver, as Mercedes has struggled to deliver a car capable of fighting for titles. While Hamilton managed a victory at Silverstone earlier this year, consistent success has eluded him.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Mercedes has a realistic chance of securing pole position, given their practice session dominance. However, F1 analyst Jenson Button cautioned against premature celebrations. “Mercedes was surprisingly quick in Austin on Friday but struggled on Saturday. Vegas is a different challenge with unique track conditions, so it remains to be seen if they can maintain their competitiveness,” Button said.
Friday’s results also threw up an unexpected twist as Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez finished 17th and 19th, respectively. Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz rounded out the top five, signaling a potential shake-up at the front.
With just a few races left in the season, the Las Vegas Grand Prix promises high stakes, as Hamilton aims to end his Mercedes chapter on a high note before beginning a new journey at Ferrari.
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