It’s always curious how the so-called balanced takes start with “I’m a fan, but...” and then go on to describe the driver as outdated, instinctively inferior and basically past it. Sounds less like fandom and more like an excuse to downgrade a 7-time world champion under the cover of objectivity.ringo wrote: ↑05 Jun 2025, 18:18Fred himself said there was something wrong.Space-heat wrote: ↑05 Jun 2025, 15:45More likely is that Lewis complained about a loose rear or lack of front grip during an early stint, and the team adjusted his FW in the pit stop. I want Lewis to succeed as much as anyone, but can we accept the adjustment is going to be longer than we all hoped? Unless Fred says they messed up the settings then it's all hearsay. AR reported there were no issues with Charles' or Lewis' car.
I have seen a lot of people say that Lewis' driving style doesn't suit the GE cars. I dunno if this is another one of those "the car is designed around x driver" myths or it might be age catching up, but hopefully with the rules reset next year, he can find a better pace.
He wont say what it is. They made changes to relieve something but probably didnt ask how much to change.
I think they assume Lewis doesn't know the car so they know how much clicks to put in anyway so why ask. That didn't work out.
The other issue is possibly floor damage.
I think generally Lewis is outdated in terms of driving technique. I say that as a fan.
The same goes for Alonso and Hulk.
Lewis will do well once the car's rear is planted and be unbeatable. The problem is when the rear is not planted. The younger drivers do not need to drive as much on feeling or feedback. They can push and throw the car more with less hesitation because theyre likely not waiting for a feedback. That's my observation. The stiffer platform and the low profile tyre just requires a technique that Hamilton does not possess by instinct. When you are not driving by instinct you are going to lose some milliseconds per corner.
In the grand scheme Lewis' problem is noticable but very minor given the circumstances.
His points gap to Charles is norrowest teammate gap on the grid second only to Oscar and Lando; both in the same car for over 2 years. I have not checked it, but i suspect Carlos was not this close on points at race 9 either. Even worse when he just joined Ferrari.
Charles was not this close to Vettel at race 9 when he just joined etc.
So Lewis is not doing bad. Doing a decent job. But there is a lot of noise, and he is judged unfairly because of the attention he brings, the media pundits who are envious, and generally fans waiting decades for some kind of downfall or unravelling.
He wont improve in this generation's car. Only if it drives at the limit where the feeling does not fluctuate as much so he doesnt have guess what's going to happen.
I don't know why his 2023 was so good. Or if it was that George was having a bad year.
If Lewis is truly struggling, it’s in a car not designed around him, with limited input so far and still the gap to Leclerc is minimal. That says more about Hamilton’s level than any theory about instinct or generational driving styles.