Lewis Hamilton ‘s disappointing start to the 2024 Formula 1 season continued during the recent Grand Prix in China. The seven-time World Champion finished P2 during the sprint race and seemed to be very rapid during the short 19-lap race. Following his brilliant sprint race result, the Briton’s weekend spiraled downwards as he got knocked out in Q1 after his mistake at turn 15.
Lewis Hamilton‘s qualifying and race were disappointing after he admitted he tampered with and changed his W15’s setup to improve with. This didn’t come true, as the setup change reduced the W15’s overall performance. Following this revelation, former F1 technical director, Gary Anderson revealed how he was shocked by Briton’s “bizarre decision” to change a working and good setup.
Why overhaul this setup rather than simply tweaking it? It was a bizarre decision. Optimization of the W15 is what Russell’s approach seems to be. He showed what the car can do, this is where they are and Hamilton and the team need to accept that.
Gary Anderson via formulanerds.com.
Anderson added how suddenly changing the setup without any time to test it during the sprint weekends is something the seven-time World Champion shouldn’t have done. Moreover, even to Hamilton’s fans, the decision to massively change his setup was shocking considering the W15’s small operating window.
Gary Anderson reveals Lewis Hamilton searching for a “magic bullet” in F1
F1 has always been a very competitive sport, that requires maximum precision from drivers and teams. There is no “magic bullet” that helps drivers gain a massive advantage and lead the championship. But, after Lewis Hamilton’s sudden changes to the setup ahead of qualifying in Shanghai, Former F1 technical director Gary Anderson revealed that the seven-time World Champion is trying to find that bullet to suddenly be competing at the front.
From what it looks like, the seven-time World Champion tries to change his setup radically throughout weekends in order to unlock the W15’s performance. But, as of now, the setup changes that he does try all usually seem to backfire, or undeliver which is very concerning for him and the Brackley-based team.
Hamilton still seems to be searching for that magic bullet that will suddenly see him leap to the front. Well, in all my years in motorsport I have never seen that happen.
Gary Anderson said.
The 73-year-old also added that in all of his time in racing and F1, he’s never found something that suddenly helps drivers compete at the front. Following his disappointing start to this season, the Briton will definitely want to bounce back stronger in the upcoming rounds as there’s been a lot of criticism about his form this season.
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