Ex-F1 driver Karun Chandhok believes Lewis Hamilton should “work on” his qualifying tempo forward of his change to Ferrari subsequent yr – however downplayed any issues the group may need.
Hamilton has persistently struggled for one-lap tempo throughout his ultimate season with Mercedes.
The seven-time world champion was comprehensively overwhelmed by teammate George Russell throughout the 2024 F1 season in qualifying.
Whereas Hamilton nonetheless stays one of many highest in race trim, his lowly qualifying positions typically has made life troublesome for him.
In 2025, Hamilton will go up towards arguably the very best qualifier on the grid in Charles Leclerc.
Talking to Betway, Chandhok assessed Hamilton’s qualifying difficulties forward of his seismic transfer to Ferrari in 2025.
“He’s clearly struggling for confidence over the one lap,” Chandhok mentioned. “His rating with George, together with Dash classes is 20-6 on the qualifying scores [After Brazil].
“For a man with over 100 pole positions, it’s an actual shock. However you hearken to Lewis communicate afterwards and he says issues reminiscent of ‘I’m simply not good at qualifying’ and ‘I simply can’t qualify’, it’s actually bizarre.
“I feel he’s low on confidence and for no matter cause, I genuinely assume he doesn’t know the place the qualifying performances have gone.”
Chandhok dismissed solutions that Ferrari will probably be apprehensive by his lack of kind in qualifying, noting his world championship-winning expertise.
“However from Ferrari’s perspective finally, I don’t assume they’ve employed Lewis for pace.” he added.
“They’ve Charles Leclerc for pace. They employed Lewis as a result of he is aware of methods to win a World Championship. He’ll convey them expertise and the data of methods to put a season marketing campaign collectively.
“By way of pace, I nonetheless consider Charles Leclerc is the very best qualifier on the grid. By way of out and out one lap tempo, he’s the quickest driver in F1 in the present day.
“They’ve bought pace however what they haven’t had is a driver who has received a World Championship, and I feel that’s what they’ve employed him for.”
Enhancements wanted
With F1’s guidelines for 2025 remaining secure forward of the massive regulation adjustments in 2026, the highest 4 groups are anticipated to be evenly matched on the entrance.
Consequently, the onus will probably be placed on the drivers to ship, and Hamilton received’t be capable of afford underperforming in Saturdays.
“For Lewis, it’s one thing he should work on although as a result of in 2025, it’s going to be tremendous shut and if he’s two or three tenths away from Charles, you might find yourself P6 or P7 on the grid and rapidly, your race is totally completely different,” Chandhok defined.
“I’m certain it’s weighing on his thoughts however I don’t assume Lewis wants folks to inform him the place he wants to enhance, he is aware of inside himself the place he wants to enhance and you may see the physique language.”
