Hamilton offers MILLION DOLLAR reward over Mercedes i…read more
Lewis Hamilton has expressed deep frustration following a difficult weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he struggled significantly with his Mercedes car. The seven-time F1 champion, who has been known for his skill in challenging weather conditions, faced several setbacks in both qualifying and the race. Hamilton was knocked out in Q1 after struggling in wet conditions, and he started the main race in 14th position. Despite a strong start, where he managed to climb up to P10 by the end of the first lap, he finished in 10th place, earning only a single point from the weekend. This result left him a long way from the maximum 34 points available at the Interlagos circuit.
Hamilton’s season with Mercedes has been challenging, and his recent results have only highlighted the issues he’s faced with the car. Over the past five races, he’s managed just 26 points, including a DNF at the U.S. Grand Prix, and has now dropped below his teammate George Russell in the drivers’ standings. This is a notable drop, especially considering he initially had a 25-point advantage after Russell’s disqualification in Belgium. Furthermore, Hamilton’s qualifying record against Russell is currently 16-5, with Russell regularly outperforming him. This statistic looms large as Hamilton prepares to face Charles Leclerc, one of F1’s best qualifiers, when he moves to Ferrari next season.
Reflecting on his season, Hamilton acknowledged that both he and Russell have struggled with the W15’s inconsistency. Although the car performed well during the summer, helping Mercedes secure three wins in four races, it has otherwise often lagged behind as the fourth-fastest on the grid. These mixed results have left the team and Hamilton questioning what’s wrong with the car.
In a moment of visible frustration, Hamilton offered a “million-dollar” reward to anyone who could identify the root cause of Mercedes’ issues. When asked by a reporter what he thought was wrong with the car, Hamilton responded, “That’s the million-dollar question. If you can find it, I’ll give you a million dollars.”
As Hamilton’s time with Mercedes potentially nears its end, he’s hoping to close out his twelve-year partnership on a high. However, recent challenges with performance and reliability suggest the final stretch might be a tough one, underscoring how far Mercedes may need to go to regain its previous dominance.
