Lewis Hamilton's Canadian Grand Prix Nightmare: Inside 'One of My Worst Drives' Ever
Lewis Hamilton finds himself reflecting on what could only be described as one of his most challenging weekends at the Canadian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion's discontent was visible as he finished a sobering fourth, a far cry from his usual podium finishes.
Hamilton arrived in Montreal with high hopes. Mercedes had brought in significant upgrades, and the Briton demonstrated competitive pace during the final practice session, outpacing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and his own teammate, George Russell. However, the tide turned during qualifying; tire-related issues meant Hamilton was unable to match the pace, settling for a disappointing seventh on the grid.
Verstappen ultimately took the victory. Read more here.
During the initial stages of the race, Hamilton struggled to make significant headway, stuck behind Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin. However, as the Grand Prix progressed and the track dried out, Hamilton showcased impressive speed, capitalizing on the final Safety Car period to make a tactical tire change. What followed was a gripping battle between him and Russell, which saw Russell ultimately win out, leaving Hamilton to reflect on what might have been.
Hamilton's Gut-Wrenching Reflection
Speaking candidly post-race, Hamilton admitted, “It wasn’t a positive race for me. It felt like one of my worst drives that I’ve had. Bits of good speed at some points, but ultimately a pretty poor weekend from myself.”
With no shortage of frustration, he lamented his performance during qualifying, which saw him positioned behind Alonso for a considerable portion of the race. “I lost a lot of ground, went off, and... it’s frustrating because the car is progressing and moving forward. If I’d qualified the way I should have, I would have been competing for the win.”
Find out more about Norris’ fantastic race here.
Tire Troubles and Temperature Tantrums
Delving deeper into the issues that plagued his weekend, Hamilton shed light on the mysterious temperature trouble with his tires. “Throughout the weekend, the tires were working fine, but when we got to qualifying, my tires were always below the optimal temperature. Every set was two or three degrees lower than they should have been, and I couldn’t switch them on after that,” he explained.
Mercedes will need to analyze this setback closely, as Hamilton himself suggested, “That’s something we have to really look at because something went on with the blankets, I guess.”
Standing in the Aftermath
With the conclusion of the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton finds himself eighth in the Drivers’ standings, trailing his teammate Russell by 14 points. Mercedes remains fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, following Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren.
The result leaves Hamilton eager for redemption in the forthcoming races. With Lewis Hamilton, a known dominator at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, this weekend's race was an undeniable aberration, a stark deviation from his string of historic victories and pole positions here.
As we look ahead, Hamilton and Mercedes must solve their qualifying woes to reclaim their place at the front. The once-indomitable team remains hopeful that their recent upgrades will eventually yield the desired results, transforming their frustration into celebration.