Mercedes make LATE Hamilton change in official FIA

Mercedes make LATE Hamilton change in official FIA announcement at Qatar Grand Prix…….read more

In a recent official announcement by the FIA, it has been revealed that Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes F1 car will undergo a late change ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion is approaching the final two races of his illustrious career with Mercedes, as he prepares for a high-profile move to Ferrari for the 2025 season. Hamilton’s partnership with Mercedes has spanned an impressive 12 years, during which he has secured six drivers’ titles and helped the team clinch eight constructors’ championships.

However, Hamilton’s farewell season has been far from ideal. Despite a couple of victories in Britain and Belgium, his 2024 campaign has been marked by struggles. He has faced significant challenges, with his teammate George Russell outperforming him in both qualifying and race results throughout the year. This has been a tough pill to swallow for the British driver, as he has been consistently outpaced by the younger Russell, who has shown considerable progress. As a result, Hamilton is currently in seventh place in the driver’s standings, trailing Russell by nine points, which puts additional pressure on him to perform in the final two races.

As the F1 circus moves to Qatar for the penultimate race of the season, Hamilton is eager to close out his tenure with Mercedes on a high note, particularly after a strong showing in Las Vegas. Mercedes’ car has been competitive, and Hamilton hopes to secure his third victory of the season. To maximize his chances, the team has opted to make a key change to his car ahead of the weekend’s race. According to the FIA’s official statement, the Mercedes team will be replacing Hamilton’s gearbox components, including the gearbox case and cassette, as well as the driveline and gear change elements.

This change is significant for Hamilton as he looks to capitalize on any advantage that can be gained, especially considering the tight battle with his teammate in the championship standings. Despite being the only driver on the grid to receive a new gearbox at the Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton will not face any penalties. The FIA confirmed that he is still within his allowed gearbox allocation for the season, meaning that the change will not result in a grid penalty, which could have been costly at such a crucial stage of the season.

The timing of this change comes at a pivotal point in Hamilton’s career. As the driver who has been the face of Mercedes’ dominance in recent years, the move to Ferrari for 2025 marks the end of an era. Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari is highly anticipated, but it also leaves behind a legacy of success at Mercedes. The team’s dominance in the hybrid era, which started in 2014, owes much to Hamilton’s consistency and excellence. However, 2024 has been a year of transition for both Hamilton and Mercedes, and the partnership has not been as fruitful as it once was, with the team facing stiff competition from rivals like Red Bull and Ferrari.

Hamilton’s struggle to keep up with Russell this season has been one of the biggest storylines. While Russell has adapted to the team well, Hamilton has found himself dealing with a series of challenges, both in terms of race results and car performance. Despite these struggles, Hamilton remains determined to end his Mercedes career on a strong note, with his eyes firmly set on securing the best possible result in the final two races.

Mercedes has shown flashes of competitiveness in recent races, and Hamilton is hopeful that the changes made to his car, coupled with the team’s strong form in Las Vegas, will give him a solid chance to fight for a win in Qatar. With the season nearing its conclusion, Hamilton is fully aware of the importance of these last two races, not only for his own career but also for securing a better position in the championship standings. If Hamilton can manage to beat Russell in these final races, it would provide a fitting conclusion to his long and successful tenure with Mercedes before his move to Ferrari.

In summary, Lewis Hamilton is making a late push for a strong finish to his final season with Mercedes. With a change to his gearbox ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton is hoping that this adjustment will help him improve his performance and secure another victory in what has been a challenging year. Despite being the only driver to take a new gearbox this weekend, Hamilton is in no danger of penalties, and the change comes within the limits of his allocated gearbox for the season. As he prepares to bid farewell to Mercedes and move to Ferrari, Hamilton is determined to end his partnership with the team on a high note, with a strong finish in the final two races of the season.