Hamilton reveals key reason behind qualifying struggles

Lewis Hamilton has detailed his qualifying struggles during the 2024 Formula 1 season is “simply with tyres”.

Hamilton has been out-qualified by team-mate George Russell on nine occasions in the first 11 rounds of the season.

The campaign is Hamilton's final with Mercedes ahead of his switch to Ferrari in 2025, where he will partner Charles Leclerc.

Despite having just 13 races remaining in Mercedes colours, Hamilton insists he is working hard to get on top of his issues over one lap.  

“A huge amount of analysis, requesting a lot of information from the team, on how we can improve where we are lacking,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365.

“It is simply with tyres, and so just continuing to improve on our processes from session to session.

“Typically, once we get to qualifying, things do change a little bit. The car is obviously lighter, you are in the DRS a lot more.

“Time will tell. But I think we cracked something. Now to try and build on it.”

Mercedes form offering morale boost

Hamilton scored his first podium of the season in Spain last month, crossing the line in third place.

Mercedes has taken a strong step forward of late following a lacklustre start to the campaign, with the newfound form boosting morale at the Brackley-baed squad, according to Hamilton.

"I think, just the whole team is, not necessarily on a high, but there’s a great energy within the team knowing that we finally have the direction that we need to be working towards.

“The energy is back at the factory particularly, people in the factory definitely have a spring in their step.

“For me, for sure, it feels good to be back in a competitive position.

"[We] just want to work on continuing it. Don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, that’s for sure.”