Former F1 mechanic and pundit Marc Priestley has weighed in on Lewis Hamilton’s current struggles, suggesting that the seven-time world champion is facing the same issues that led to Daniel Ricciardo’s temporary departure from Formula 1. In a recent interview, Priestley highlighted the challenges Hamilton is facing in adapting to the new dynamics within Mercedes and Formula 1 as a whole.
Hamilton, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history, has had a relatively lackluster 2024 season, with his performance not matching the expectations set by his illustrious career. While Mercedes has made strides in improving their car’s performance, the team has still struggled to break free from the dominance of Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Priestley pointed out that despite Mercedes’ efforts, Hamilton is experiencing a degree of frustration, particularly as he tries to extract the maximum performance from a car that isn’t quite matching his usual pace.
According to Priestley, Hamilton’s struggles are not just about the technicalities of the car but also about his mental and emotional state as a driver. “Lewis has reached a point in his career where, similar to what Daniel Ricciardo went through, he is now dealing with a combination of factors that make it incredibly difficult to perform at the level he once did,” Priestley said. He went on to explain that the sheer amount of change within F1 – particularly the dominance of Verstappen and Red Bull – can take a psychological toll on even the best drivers.
Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from F1, albeit temporary, was largely attributed to the mental exhaustion and frustration that came from driving for less competitive teams. Ricciardo struggled with a lack of results, which ultimately led to a sabbatical and a shift to other racing series before his return with AlphaTauri. Priestley emphasized that Hamilton may now be in a similar situation, where the pressure of remaining at the top combined with the unrelenting success of a rival team is affecting his performance and mindset.
While Priestley acknowledged Hamilton’s immense talent and resilience, he noted that even the greatest drivers are not immune to the psychological hurdles that come with prolonged periods of struggle, especially in an ever-evolving sport like Formula 1.
As the season progresses, many will be watching to see how Hamilton navigates these challenges and whether he can overcome the same struggles that have hindered other drivers in the past.