Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has pointed fingers at Mercedes’ ongoing struggles to align real-world performance with simulator projections as the root of his recent issues. Following a rare crash at the United States Grand Prix and a labored drive in Brazil, Hamilton insists the car—not his driving—is to blame.
A Disconnect Between Virtual and Reality
Hamilton revealed that his Mercedes W15 is behaving unpredictably on track compared to simulator runs, making it almost impossible to extract consistent performance.
“I don’t have a problem with oversteer,” Hamilton stated firmly. “Car control is not an issue for me. The issue isn’t my driving or the setup; it’s the car not correlating with what we see in the simulator.”
Hamilton further explained that the simulator performance had been promising, with lap times and handling vastly superior to what transpired during the U.S. and Brazilian Grands Prix. “I drove the simulator last week, and we were rapid. The driving was fantastic. But what we experienced on track? Completely different,” he added.
Mercedes: A Fallen Giant
Mercedes, once untouchable during their dominant 2014–2020 hybrid era, has found itself struggling for pace and reliability in F1’s ground-effect era. Rivals Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren have leapfrogged them, while Aston Martin briefly outperformed them earlier this season.
The Silver Arrows’ sensitive car design continues to challenge the team. Any minor misalignment in its intricate setup can lead to inconsistency and instability. According to Hamilton, this flaw amplifies the difficulty of maintaining competitiveness:
“If the team gives us a car that doesn’t want to throw itself off this weekend, I’ll have a good weekend. All I can do is prepare the best I can,” Hamilton remarked.
A Return of Porpoising Woes
Adding to Mercedes’ woes is a surprising recurrence of porpoising—a problem most teams resolved by the end of 2022. Both Hamilton and teammate George Russell flagged the issue ahead of the Brazilian GP, voicing concerns that the car was becoming nearly undrivable on bumpy circuits like Interlagos.
“If part of the car is even a few millimeters off, it becomes erratic, inconsistent, and almost impossible to drive,” Hamilton explained.
What’s Next for Hamilton?
With a move to Ferrari in 2025 already confirmed, Hamilton is determined to leave Mercedes on a high note but admits the team needs to overcome fundamental issues.
“We’re all trying, but the car doesn’t have the consistency we need,” he said. “The ground-effect era isn’t something we’ve nailed like other teams.”
As Formula 1 heads to Las Vegas, Hamilton remains focused but realistic about his chances. While Max Verstappen edges closer to a fourth title, the Brit’s struggles underline the urgency for Mercedes to rebuild—both for the final races of 2024 and the seasons ahead.