Lewis Hamilton's disastrous Mercedes season under the scanner as F1 Champion gives his take

F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen says Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has to speak up if he realizes he's "losing his edge" in the sport. The seven-time F1 world champion had a difficult final year with Mercedes last year despite winning two races in Silverstone and Spa. He largely struggled alongside his teammate George Russell, who finished ahead of him in both races and qualifying.

The British driver had to make multiple comeback drives throughout the season to do damage limitations for the race weekends. He struggled to pace consistently over one lap, which made him question his skills behind the wheel.

In his interview with Planet F1, Hakkinen mentioned that he was not completely aware of the reasons behind Hamilton's woes in the past year but believed that the 40-year-old would be the right person to address them, saying:

“What’s happening with Lewis is impossible to comment on, what’s happening in his mind and on what’s happening at the moment, why the performance is not there 100 percent. I’m not the right person to answer for that – it’s Lewis.

If something similar has happened to him, he has to speak. He’s the right person to answer that, but he has committed now for the future. So, I’m sure he will work on it to get things right for this year.”

Amid his struggles, the motorsport world was shocked when it was announced that Lewis Hamilton would join Ferrari on a multi-year deal in 2025 replacing Carlos Sainz.

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Former F1 driver compares his struggles with Lewis Hamilton

Former Haas F1 Kevin Magnussen said he could relate Lewis Hamilton's struggles to his own in the past couple of years, though he acknowledged he was not fully aware of Hamilton's.

The Dane, who returned to F1 in 2022 after a year on the sidelines and ended his tenure with the American team last year, told the media (via PlanetF1):

"It does seem like the drivers that have this particular way of driving, as we do, then we seem to struggle a bit more than others. Think it’s clear that Lewis Hamilton is struggling. He’s been great in all the different cars he’s ever driven. Also before Formula 1, everything, he was great.

These cars are very particular. And I think also because of the tires. On top of the cars being aerodynamically and mechanically quite particular, the tires also are a strange one.”

With new engine rules coming in 2026, the British driver will have fresh impetus to mount a new challenge and possibly fight for a championship.