Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok has expressed concerns about Lewis Hamilton’s form following the challenging Spanish Grand Prix. Hamilton finished sixth at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, dropping behind Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg after the safety car period. The seven-time world champion appeared off pace compared to his teammate Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton has traditionally performed well on the Spanish track, even in recent seasons with Mercedes despite some struggles. Speaking on the latest Sky F1 podcast, Chandhok shared his worry about Hamilton’s current performance. He noted that as the season progresses into its middle stages, Hamilton is still struggling to find rhythm and consistency in his car.
Chandhok pointed out the inconsistency in Hamilton’s recent races: from a poor qualifying in Imola to a strong race, a subdued showing in Monaco, and being overtaken comfortably by Leclerc. Despite a brief burst of speed during a stint with Ferrari tires, Hamilton’s overall form has been fluctuating too much.
The 40-year-old has had solid races, including a fourth-place comeback in Imola and winning the China Sprint from pole. However, Chandhok feels that the variations in performance are troubling, questioning whether a fundamental change in the car’s setup might be necessary. He stressed that while Hamilton’s talent remains undeniable, the team needs to find a consistent setup to help him perform at his best every weekend.
Looking ahead to Canada, Hamilton has a strong record at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, having won there seven times, including his first career victory with McLaren in 2007. Sky commentator David Croft emphasized the importance of Hamilton bouncing back in Canada, calling it one of Hamilton’s favorite tracks and a place where he often delivers top results. Croft suggested that another poor performance there would indicate a deeper problem, but also expressed confidence that Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, has the ability to turn his season around.
Fan Take: For racing enthusiasts, Hamilton’s struggle signals a rare but important challenge to a dominant figure in the sport, heightening the intrigue for the season’s remaining races. If Hamilton can resolve his form issues, it could ignite an even fiercer competition, pushing both driver and teams to new heights in Formula 1.
