Lewis Hamilton's Las Vegas GP Woes Prompt Ferrari Investigation Call
Following a frustrating Las Vegas Grand Prix, former F1 strategist Bernie Collins has urged Ferrari to 'urgently' investigate Lewis Hamilton's significant struggles on medium tires, suggesting 'something has gone wrong.' Despite recovering to P8, Hamilton expressed deep disappointment, marking this as a low point in his challenging season with Ferrari and prompting questions about the team's performance and tire management.
Lewis Hamilton's struggles on medium tires at the Las Vegas Grand Prix have triggered an 'urgent' call for investigation from former F1 strategist Bernie Collins, who believes 'something has gone wrong' with his Ferrari.
Why it matters:
Lewis Hamilton's outspoken frustration following the Las Vegas GP, despite a strong recovery drive, highlights deeper performance issues within Ferrari. Collins's call for an urgent investigation underscores the critical need for Ferrari to diagnose and resolve these problems, especially concerning tire performance, as they aim to maximize their championship potential and support their star driver.
The details:
- Hamilton's Race Performance: Starting P19, Hamilton recovered to P10 at the checkered flag, later promoted to P8 after McLaren's disqualifications. However, his mood was described as 'devastated,' calling it his 'worst season ever.'
- Medium Tire Struggle: The core of the issue, according to Collins, was Hamilton's second and final stint on medium tires. He was unable to make an impression on Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber, a car Ferrari should 'easily be able to have the pace on.'
- Collins's Analysis: "The medium tire just went from bad to worse for Lewis. The first initial laps in the medium were slow... And then the final stint on the medium, he's dropping from Hulkenberg. So something has gone wrong on that medium stint for Lewis, and that's why he's so deflated." She urged Ferrari to "look at urgently."
- Hamilton's Previous Criticisms: This isn't the first time Hamilton has been candid. He previously called his Ferrari move a 'nightmare' after Brazil and suggested Ferrari 'change driver' after Hungarian GP qualifying, indicating a season-long struggle with car performance.
- Button's Perspective: Jenson Button, Hamilton's former teammate, noted that this was the 'first time' he's seen Hamilton 'seriously deflated' this season, despite having 'carried himself really well' through a difficult year.
Between the lines:
Collins's pointed comments and Hamilton's raw emotion reveal a significant disconnect between the team's potential and its actual on-track delivery, particularly in tire management. This is not merely a single-race blip but appears to be a recurring theme for Hamilton with the Ferrari, suggesting fundamental setup or operational issues that are preventing him from extracting maximum performance. The public nature of these criticisms puts pressure on Ferrari to demonstrate swift and effective problem-solving.
What's next:
Ferrari's technical team will likely conduct a deep dive into the telemetry and strategy from Las Vegas, focusing specifically on Hamilton's medium tire performance. Addressing these issues is crucial, not only for improving their current season's performance but also for building confidence and momentum heading into the next year. How Ferrari responds to this 'urgent' call will be a key indicator of their ability to support their star driver and optimize their package for future races.