Lewis Hamilton: The “Biggest Disappointment” of F1 2024

Lewis Hamilton, the iconic seven-time World Champion, has found himself in the midst of a storm of controversy. With the 2024 Formula 1 season now behind us, Hamilton’s performance has been under intense scrutiny, and the criticism continues to mount. According to 13-time race winner David Coulthard, Hamilton’s season was nothing short of a “disappointment”, with the British driver failing to live up to the expectations that have followed him for nearly two decades. In a bold and unrelenting assessment, Coulthard stated that Hamilton, in 2024, was “unrecognizable” from his former self, leaving fans and pundits divided over the future of one of the sport’s greatest drivers.

Hamilton’s Struggles: A Season of Low Points

For a man with seven World Championships and over 100 Grand Prix victories, Hamilton’s struggles in 2024 were hard to ignore. Despite moments of brilliance, such as his win at Silverstone, which broke a two-and-a-half-year winless streak, the season was dominated by inconsistencies and performances that seemed well below his usual high standards. However, it wasn’t just the race results that raised eyebrows; it was the qualifying battles with teammate George Russell that truly exposed the gulf in performance.

Hamilton suffered a crushing 19-5 defeat in qualifying to Russell, a statistic that was hard to overlook for someone of Hamilton’s pedigree. The Briton, who has been a dominating force in Formula 1 for years, appeared outclassed by the younger Russell, a driver who has never been shy about challenging Hamilton’s legacy. At the Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton’s vulnerability was laid bare when he admitted, “I’m definitely not fast anymore.” This was a rare moment of humility from a driver who has often been regarded as immensely self-assured.

In an even more surprising revelation, Hamilton confessed that after the Brazilian Grand Prix, he had seriously contemplated walking away from the sport altogether. This admission shocked many, considering his illustrious career and the enduring passion he had for racing in previous years.

David Coulthard’s Stark Critique

David Coulthard, known for his candid commentary, didn’t hold back when reflecting on Hamilton’s 2024 season. Speaking to Viaplay, Coulthard called out Hamilton’s performance as “the biggest disappointment of the year.” For a man who has seen and experienced the highs and lows of Formula 1, Coulthard’s words hit hard. “He’s a seven-time World Champion, but I’ve never seen this Lewis in F1,” Coulthard said.

For Coulthard, the true champions of the sport are the ones who can dig deep and find speed in the face of adversity. In his eyes, Hamilton failed to do just that. “The greats always find speed, but he didn’t,” Coulthard added, a statement that might feel like a slap in the face to Hamilton’s legion of fans. But Coulthard’s comments weren’t entirely about his disappointment; they also reflected a belief that Hamilton’s mental and physical resilience—traits that made him so dominant for years—were nowhere to be seen in 2024.

The Pressure of the Ferrari Move: Financial Gain, But No Guarantees

Despite the tumultuous 2024 season, Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 remains uncertain. As it stands, he is set to join Ferrari in 2025, a move that has sparked intense speculation. While the switch to Ferrari is expected to bring financial rewards for both Hamilton and the team, Coulthard remains skeptical about its impact on Hamilton’s performance.

In Coulthard’s view, the move to Ferrari will no doubt bring significant financial gains to both parties, but when it comes to performance, he cautioned that “the stopwatch doesn’t lie”. If Hamilton is to reignite his career at Ferrari, he will need results—impressive, undeniable results. “They’ll need results,” Coulthard emphasized, pointing out that Ferrari cannot afford to make the same mistakes they have in the past. “It’s all well and good joining a famous team, but if Hamilton doesn’t deliver, his move will be just another chapter in the long history of failed Ferrari projects.”

Still, Coulthard offered a glimmer of hope for Hamilton fans. The transition to Ferrari could be just the spark Hamilton needs. “Maybe putting on that red suit will be like Superman putting on his cape,” Coulthard suggested. Perhaps, after all, the change of scenery could help Hamilton rediscover the fire that once made him virtually unbeatable. But whether that’s a realistic expectation remains to be seen.

Is Hamilton’s Legacy Tarnished?

As the 2024 season comes to a close, the question on many fans’ minds is whether Lewis Hamilton’s legacy has been tarnished by this difficult year. The answer depends on who you ask. For Coulthard, the situation is clear: “This is not the same Lewis Hamilton we’ve known.” The boldness of his statement may alienate some, but it does raise valid concerns. Has the relentless pursuit of perfection finally taken its toll on Hamilton? Or is he simply experiencing a dip in form, one that even the greatest drivers sometimes face?

Many believe that the Hamilton of old—the one who could extract performance from any car and outsmart his rivals with ease—still exists. But after a year of struggles, questions about his motivation, drive, and ability to compete at the highest level are impossible to ignore.

The move to Ferrari might be a turning point, but it’s unclear if it will be the redemption arc that Hamilton and his fans desperately hope for. In the cutthroat world of Formula 1, time waits for no one, and even a driver of Hamilton’s caliber may not get a second chance at greatness.

Conclusion: A Season of Disappointment, but Not the End

David Coulthard’s assessment of Lewis Hamilton’s 2024 season has ignited heated debates, but it’s hard to ignore the reality behind his words. Hamilton’s struggles are undeniable, and while his career is far from over, the path forward will not be easy.

The move to Ferrari in 2025 may give Hamilton a fresh lease on life, but he will have to prove himself all over again. For now, Lewis Hamilton’s 2024 season stands as a stark reminder that even the greatest can fall—and only time will tell if he can rise once more to the top of Formula 1.