Lewis Hamilton has been struggling in qualifying this season for Mercedes, along with his former McLaren team-mate Jenson Button suggesting his age could possibly be catching up with him
Picture: (Picture: AP))
Ex-Method One champion Jenson Button has steered that Lewis Hamilton ‘s slower response instances could possibly be accountable for his lacklustre qualifying performances.
Regardless of topping the time sheets in each observe classes forward of Sunday’s (November 24) Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Briton is lagging behind Mercedes team-mate George Russell 16-5 in qualifying this season. With solely three qualifying rounds left in 2024, Hamilton, for simply the second time in his 12-year stint with the Silver Arrows, is ready to lose this yr’s head-to-head.
His former McLaren colleague believes that age is perhaps a consider Hamilton’s struggles this season. And Button hinted that the 39-year-old’s response instances might not match as much as these of the youthful drivers on the grid.
“He is nearly 40 years previous and possibly you do lose a tiny bit,” Button informed Sky F1 on the Las Vegas Grand Prix. “You’re racing in opposition to 20-year-olds. Your reactions, nevertheless good they’re, are nonetheless not going to be nearly as good as a 20-year-old’s reactions.
“You possibly can presumably lose that slight edge which would not present up in a race however I feel in qualifying that’s the place it does change into a bit bit tougher. It hurts, it does once you see the youthful drivers all of the sudden, not simply fast in qualifying however it’s the consistency they will put in in qualifying.”
After a disappointing qualifying session in Brazil earlier this month, the place Hamilton did not make it previous Q1 in wet situations, he voiced his low spirits on the time to Sky: “I did not actually need to come again after that weekend,” he disclosed.
(
Picture:
(Picture: Getty))
“However, I feel that is solely pure, you realize. It is irritating when you will have a season like this, which I am fairly certain I will not have once more, or not less than I am going to work in the direction of not having once more. Yeah, it simply wasn’t an excellent feeling in that second, however I am right here, I am standing sturdy and I’ll give it completely every part for these previous couple of races,” he vowed.
Regardless of Button’s issues about his former team-mate, he is optimistic that followers will witness the “better of Lewis” within the season’s closing levels, reviews the Categorical. Hamilton, who turns 40 come January, is raring to embark on a contemporary chapter with Ferrari subsequent yr, admitting his perception in having faster reactions than his youthful opponents.
Study extra
Catch all of the motion from Method One on Sky Sports activities and get unique entry to races, qualifying and far more for each Grand Prix. From Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton, you will not miss a lap on Sky Sports activities.
In an interview with The Sunday Instances, Hamilton expressed his mindset: “I am in such an excellent place, bodily and mentally. My response instances are nonetheless faster than the younger guys.
“I feel I am a greater driver than I used to be at 22. I used to be simply younger, energetic and ruthless, however no finesse, no steadiness. I did not know the right way to be a staff participant, the right way to be a pacesetter. Being an excellent racing driver, it isn’t nearly being quick, it is about being essentially the most rounded.”
