Hamilton Calls 2024 His 'Worst F1 Season Ever' Amid Growing Frustration

Lewis Hamilton's "worst season ever" in Formula 1 is spiraling into hopelessness, with the seven-time world champion left devastated again after the Vegas Grand Prix. Despite making up nine places, his race was largely defined by a fruitless pursuit and growing disappointment, leading him to state that no matter how much he tries, things only get worse.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's unprecedented struggle in 2024 is a significant narrative shift for Formula 1. A driver of his caliber, known for his relentless pursuit of victory, expressing such profound disappointment highlights the deep-seated issues within Mercedes' current package. This level of frustration from a multi-world champion not only impacts team morale but also sparks wider discussions about the competitive balance and future trajectory of top teams in F1.

The Details:

• Vegas Grand Prix Performance: Hamilton started 19th and finished 10th, gaining nine positions. Most of this progress, however, occurred on the opening lap by staying out of trouble.
• Race Struggles: After the initial surge, Hamilton largely struggled to make further progress, spending much of his race behind Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber and nearly falling to Esteban Ocon's Haas.
  • He noted a "balance shift" after contact with Alex Albon, which may have exacerbated his difficulties.
• Deep Dissatisfaction: Hamilton described his feelings as "terrible" and reiterated that this is his "worst season, ever," stating, "No matter how much I try, it just keeps going worse."
• Lack of Positives: He found "zero" satisfaction in his recovery to 10th and saw "no positives to take away" from the race.
• Constructors' Standings Concerns: Hamilton expressed doubt about Mercedes' chances of securing second in the constructors' standings, adding, "At this rate, with my performance," it seemed unlikely.
• 2025 Car Outlook: He indicated frustration with the development of the 2025 car, stating, "I've tried everything" and "it's not working."
• Denial of Retirement Rumors: The extreme tone of his comments led to questions about his future, which Hamilton firmly denied, confirming he would not walk away from F1.

Team's Perspective:

Team Principal Fred Vasseur attributed Hamilton's difficulties largely to his poor starting position (P19) and suggested that post-race emotions might be influencing his strong statements. Vasseur urged a calmer debrief, noting, "To jump out of the car and to make the first comment it's always a bit too much."

Contrasting Performance:

• Charles Leclerc's Race: Hamilton's teammate, Charles Leclerc, had a more productive weekend, finishing sixth, just 0.2 seconds shy of a top-five position.
• Leclerc described his personal performance as "probably the best race of the season," with all laps feeling like "qualy laps" and minimal mistakes, though he found P6 "very frustrating" given his effort.

What's next:

Hamilton's candid frustration puts significant pressure on Mercedes to address the underlying issues with their car. While Vasseur hopes for a calmer reflection, the depth of Hamilton's disappointment suggests fundamental problems that extend beyond a single race incident. The team will need to rapidly identify and rectify these issues to prevent the season from completely derailing and to provide Hamilton with a more competitive package as he looks ahead to 2025 and beyond.