Former F1 strategist Bernie Collins has expressed concern over Lewis Hamilton’s lack of speed during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, suggesting it’s more troubling than the team radio confusion. Hamilton faced another challenging Monaco race, finishing in fifth place nearly 50 seconds behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. He started with a three-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen, which was a result of receiving incorrect information about Verstappen’s hot lap.
The communication issues within the team persisted during the race, leaving Hamilton uncertain about his rivals on the track. On the latest Sky F1 Podcast, Collins highlighted that Hamilton’s diminished pace during the middle of the race was the real worry. She noted surprise that during the second pit stop, Oscar Piastri was able to overtake Hamilton, indicating that Hamilton couldn’t maintain the competitive pace that other top drivers were pushing under the new regulations. This was unexpected, especially since Hamilton typically excels at Monaco and appeared more confident than Leclerc, making his performance more concerning than the team radio issues.
Sky F1 commentator David Croft suggested Hamilton might be easing off to support Leclerc, but Collins dismissed this, pointing out that no cars were immediately behind Hamilton during that period, and she remains unsure about what transpired in the latter half of the race.
Looking ahead, the Barcelona circuit has historically been a strong venue for Hamilton, who dominated there from 2017 to 2021 with Mercedes and consistently finished on the podium even in tougher seasons. He was runner-up to Verstappen in 2023 and earned another podium in 2024. Given Hamilton’s recent struggles to match Leclerc’s pace since the Chinese sprint, Barcelona presents a crucial chance for him to regain momentum in his campaign.
Fan Take: This news is significant because Hamilton’s form is crucial to the championship battle and the rivalry between him and Leclerc shapes Ferrari’s success. If Hamilton struggles to regain his pace, it could signal a shift in the balance of power within the team and among the sport’s frontrunners, making upcoming races even more intriguing for fans.
