Lewis Hamilton apologises to Mercedes after ignoring team.....

Lewis Hamilton apologises to Mercedes after ignoring team…..read more

Lewis Hamilton recently issued an apology to his Mercedes team after disregarding their request to retire his W15 car during the Qatar Grand Prix. The incident occurred during the latter stages of the race, where Hamilton’s performance was significantly hampered by penalties and issues with his car’s pace.

Throughout the race, Hamilton faced multiple challenges, including a poor start and car difficulties, leading to two notable penalties. Firstly, he received a five-second time penalty for jumping the start by a fraction of a second. This penalty was swiftly imposed after a brief review by the race stewards. Then, later in the race, Hamilton was handed a drive-through penalty for failing to adhere to the pit lane speed limit, which severely affected his position and all but dashed any hopes of scoring points.

Adding to the frustration was the underperformance of the Mercedes W15, with Hamilton struggling to extract competitive pace from the car. This continued poor performance from both Hamilton and the car throughout the season has been a point of contention, especially as his results have continued to lag behind those of his teammate, George Russell, who has outperformed him during the final stages of the campaign.

After serving the drive-through penalty, Hamilton was visibly frustrated and suggested he would retire the car. Over the radio, he communicated with his long-time race engineer, Peter Bonnington, saying, “Park the car mate,” and expressing his intention to switch the car off when he reached the pits. At this point, it seemed clear that Hamilton was ready to call it a day, opting to end a race that had turned into a disappointing and frustrating ordeal.

Despite this, Hamilton ultimately chose not to retire the car. Mercedes provided him with another opportunity to do so, offering a chance to bring the car in and end his race. Bonnington informed Hamilton that his position had dropped to P15 and that he was nine seconds ahead of Lando Norris, who had been penalized with a 10-second stop-and-go penalty. However, Bonnington also noted that those behind Hamilton were still 15 seconds away, indicating that Hamilton had little hope of improving his position.

Hamilton, still not convinced, asked about his exact position and was updated on his situation. Despite this, he decided to continue racing rather than retire the car. This decision to push on, despite the grim circumstances, left some questioning Hamilton’s mental state and his motivations. However, it was clear that his frustrations had reached a boiling point during the race, especially with the difficulties of racing a car that was underperforming.

After the race, Hamilton expressed regret for his initial outburst and decision to ignore the team’s request. He apologized to Mercedes for not following their advice and for the penalties that further complicated his already challenging race. It is not the first time this season that Hamilton has voiced his dissatisfaction with the performance of the W15, and his struggles have become a consistent theme in 2024. Throughout the season, his results have been inconsistent, with some races showing promise while others, like the Qatar GP, have been marked by frustration and disappointing results.

Hamilton’s apology highlights the tension and pressure drivers often feel when results are not going in their favor. The nature of Formula 1 racing means that every mistake, every penalty, and every poor decision can have a massive impact on both the driver and the team. In Hamilton’s case, it seemed that the combination of penalties, car issues, and his team’s request to retire the car added up to a highly emotional and difficult race. His apology to Mercedes reflects the high standards he sets for himself and the respect he has for his team, despite the difficult circumstances.

This episode in Qatar serves as a reminder of the challenges drivers like Hamilton face when results don’t go their way. While his frustration was understandable, his decision to stay out despite the team’s request underscores the determination and commitment that has defined his illustrious career. As the season comes to a close, Hamilton will undoubtedly be looking to regroup and refocus as he looks to improve in the remaining races and continue his pursuit of success with Mercedes.