“Terrible, My God”: Mercedes Back to Square One as Lewis Hamilton Faces Baku-Like Issues Again

Lewis Hamilton is one of the GOATs of F1, and he’s also the undisputed victor of the US GP. The Mercedes star has won the race in Austin a record 6 times. He’ll be hoping to add to that tally and deliver Mercedes’ first win of the season in the process. However, he was off to a bumpy start in the FP sessions on Friday.

The 7-time world champion has had a below-par season as the W13 has been criticized constantly for multiple issues. The FP session in Austin didn’t help his cause either, as the Mercedes driver complained about the asphalt bumps in COTA. He labeled his experience as “terrible” and hoped for a less bumpy circuit next year.

Speaking to Motorsport Dutch, Hamilton spoke about the bumps on the circuit. Lewis said, “Terrible, my god. I came here after Montreal and drove last year’s car. Then it was really good and I remember smiling from ear to ear when I got out. The tarmac was so slippery and I had a lot of downforce and power.”

The Mercedes man further added, “This year we lost some power because of the biofuel, but the car is also very stiff. Luckily I don’t have many fillings, otherwise, they would have all come out this year. It’s so, so bumpy. I really hope that we will have a less bumpy car next year.”

The last time the seven-time world champion experienced something like this was at Baku, where he suffered physical pain due to the car’s porpoising, paired with the bumps on the track.

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Lewis Hamilton‘s lack of straight-line pace was evident in the last race in Suzuka. He drove much of the race, trying to get past Esteban Ocon but failed to do so. But, he’ll be hoping for a better race this time out.

Lewis Hamilton claims Red Bull’s budget cap breach brings up last season’s emotions

It was an evening of misery and agony for Lewis Hamilton and his fans after the Abu Dhabi GP finished last year. The Mercedes man was on his way towards his 8th world championship. However, Michael Masi’s controversial call arguably allowed Max Verstappen to overtake Hamilton and win his maiden title.

While it was not an idle sight to witness, Lewis Hamilton said he’s over the heartbreak of last season. However, Red Bull‘s breach brings up lots of emotions from last year for the sport’s legend.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Hamilton said, “I don’t necessarily have much of an opinion because I’m not really focused on it. It’s happened in the past for me.”

He further stated, “I would say I’d moved on from last year, and of course this popping up at this point in the season definitely brings up emotion for many people, the fans, for everyone. For how it went down at the end of last year and then on top of that, this happened.”

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Lewis is currently 6th in the driver’s standings. He trails his teammate George Russell by 27 points and will be looking to close that deficit. However, the track is not really helping the Mercedes man. Can he and the Silver Arrows win a race before the season ends?