Hamilton pain continues at Jeddah as F1 star handed FIA penalty verdict due to…..read more
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, is enduring a difficult weekend at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with his troubles continuing into the final practice session ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Following lackluster performances in the first two free practice sessions (FP1 and FP2), Saturday’s FP3 brought little relief for the Mercedes driver. The final session before the all-important qualifying round presented yet more challenges, as Hamilton failed to find the pace and comfort required to compete at the sharp end of the grid.
Right from the beginning of the weekend, it was evident that Hamilton and his team were struggling to extract performance from the W15 Mercedes car. Despite several setup changes and adjustments made overnight between sessions, the British driver appeared to be wrestling with the balance and grip of the car throughout all three practice runs. The narrow, high-speed nature of the Jeddah street circuit seemed to amplify the car’s weaknesses, and Hamilton’s frustration grew with every lap.
Free Practice 1 saw Hamilton finish outside the top ten, unable to match the times of front-runners from Red Bull, Ferrari, and even some midfield teams like McLaren and Aston Martin. Hoping to gain ground in FP2, which took place under conditions more representative of qualifying and the race, Hamilton again failed to find a competitive rhythm. Both he and teammate George Russell appeared to be fighting an unstable rear end and an overall lack of downforce through the high-speed corners of the Saudi track.
By the time FP3 arrived on Saturday afternoon, expectations were modest. However, fans and pundits alike had hoped for some sign of improvement from Hamilton. Unfortunately, that did not materialize. His lap times remained off the pace, and he continued to struggle with understeer, particularly in the twistier second sector. While Russell showed slightly better form, Hamilton remained firmly stuck in the midfield, raising concerns about his chances in the evening’s qualifying session.
To make matters worse, the FIA announced that Hamilton had been handed a penalty following a review of an incident from one of the practice sessions. While the details of the infraction were not initially made public, sources within the paddock suggested it was related to a procedural breach, possibly involving pit lane conduct or impeding another driver. The penalty, although not severe enough to disqualify him from qualifying, is another setback in what has been a forgettable weekend so far for the veteran driver.
This turn of events continues a theme that has unfortunately become familiar to Hamilton in the past couple of seasons. Since the controversial conclusion of the 2021 championship and the subsequent dominance of Red Bull, Hamilton and Mercedes have struggled to return to their former winning ways. The 2022 and 2023 seasons were filled with flashes of promise, but they lacked the consistency and outright performance to challenge for titles. Now, early in the 2024 campaign, signs suggest that the Silver Arrows still have significant work to do if they wish to close the gap to the front.
Hamilton’s demeanor throughout the weekend has reflected the ongoing frustration. Known for his ability to motivate his team and remain upbeat even in tough times, the 39-year-old has cut a more solemn figure in Jeddah. He has been seen deep in conversation with his engineers, searching for solutions and trying to understand the limitations of the current package.
Looking ahead to qualifying, the challenge is clear. Hamilton must overcome the car’s shortcomings and deliver a near-perfect lap if he hopes to make it into Q3 and secure a respectable starting position for Sunday’s race. Given the tight margins and high speeds at Jeddah, any mistake could prove costly—not just in terms of grid position, but also in confidence heading into the next rounds of the championship.
For now, all eyes will be on how Hamilton responds to this latest wave of adversity. A driver of his caliber never stays down for long, but it’s evident that both he and Mercedes have some serious questions to answer if they’re to be competitive this season.
