Johnny Herbert Reflects on Lewis Hamilton's Mexico Struggles: "Horrible to Watch"

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert expressed his concern over Lewis Hamilton's ongoing struggles, particularly evident during the Mexico City Grand Prix, describing it as "horrible to watch." Despite a promising qualifying performance where Hamilton secured third, a 10-second time penalty dropped him to eighth, extending his wait for a Grand Prix podium this year.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's inability to consistently convert strong qualifying positions into race results is a growing concern for Mercedes and his fans. As one of the sport's most decorated drivers, his protracted search for a podium in the current season highlights the competitive challenges faced by both Hamilton and the Mercedes team, raising questions about their pace and strategy execution.

The Details:

• Qualifying Promise, Race Disappointment: Hamilton achieved his best qualifying result of the season, starting third behind Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. However, a post-race 10-second penalty for a track limits infringement relegated him to eighth.
• Herbert's Assessment: Johnny Herbert noted that despite Hamilton feeling "more comfortable with the car," this comfort didn't translate into race performance. He characterized Hamilton's situation as an "ongoing saga," especially when contrasted with Charles Leclerc's consistent performance.
• Podium Drought: Hamilton is still chasing his first Grand Prix podium of the year, having secured multiple fourth-place finishes. His only victory this season came in the Shanghai Sprint.
• Hamilton vs. Verstappen Battle: Herbert did praise a specific on-track moment, highlighting Hamilton's wheel-to-wheel battle with Max Verstappen in Mexico. He described it as "a great piece of racing," noting the aggressive but fair nature of their encounter.

The Big Picture:

Hamilton's recent struggles underline Mercedes' broader challenge in consistently competing at the very front of the grid. While flashes of pace are evident, translating that into sustained race performance and podium finishes remains elusive. The team continues to work on understanding and optimizing their car, with Hamilton's comments about feeling more comfortable suggesting potential progress, albeit yet to be fully realized on race day.

What's Next:

With a few races remaining in the season, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Mercedes to see if they can find the elusive breakthrough. Fans and experts alike will be watching for any signs of consistent progress, hoping for Hamilton to secure a Grand Prix podium before the season concludes. The team's ongoing development efforts will be critical in preparing for a stronger challenge in the upcoming seasons.