Lewis Hamilton has had a very tough start to the 2022 F1 season. The seven-time world champion and Mercedes have not been as competitive as they’d hoped before the start of the campaign. This lack of performance has resulted in the Brit languishing in P6 in the driver’s championship.

There is a very slim chance of him making a return to the championship fight this season. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who is very much in the title hunt, also recognized that Hamilton might not be a contender this season. He revealed that in a good car, the 7-time world champion can push for his 8th title.

“I think in the right car, yes, because he is a great. But if it’s him or me for the championship, I’d choose myself obviously. Sorry, Lewis,” said Leclerc.

READ MORE: Which Teams Use Ferrari Engines in F1?

The Mercedes driver has complained frequently about facing several issues (primarily porpoising) in his car at various points this season.

Lewis Hamilton explains the frustrations while driving the W13

Hamilton has been left frustrated in many races with the performance of the W13. At one point, he even mentioned that it’s the worst he’s felt in a racing car in the sport.

“Whatever we do in this car to improve it just makes it more unhappy. It’s the worst I’ve felt in any car here. You are putting on a momentous fight just to keep it out of the wall. You’re catching a car that’s jumping. It definitely keeps you on edge.” 

“We raised the car, but it didn’t make any real difference. It was like every Friday, experimenting with lots of things. We tried a new floor on my car, which didn’t really work, and it seems a lot of things we try on this car struggle to work,” said Hamilton.

WATCH THE STORY: Lewis Hamilton’s Biggest F1 Crashes

But one must never count out the seven-time world champion in a Formula One season. Although Leclerc is confident that he has a better chance at the title than Hamilton, everything can quickly change. Let’s see if there are any more upgrades that the German team might bring to improve the W13 this season.