Lewis Hamilton is facing a challenging time at Mercedes, as the team finds itself well behind the pace of rivals Red Bull and, in the early stages of the season, he even trailed his teammate George Russell.
However, Hamilton has since made a remarkable comeback and reasserted his dominance within Mercedes, as noted by former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard.
At the beginning of the season, Hamilton encountered significant difficulties with the W14 car, a fact acknowledged by the British driver himself.
Hamilton attributed the struggles to the cockpit position, stating that it was positioned too far forward, resulting in a highly unpredictable car.
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However, during the Monaco Grand Prix, Mercedes introduced a substantial upgrade, and ever since, Hamilton has exhibited a newfound comfort in his car, despite no adjustments being made to the cockpit position.
Following the upgrade in Monaco, Hamilton not only outperformed Russell in qualifying but also finished ahead of him in the subsequent races.
Additionally, Hamilton secured two podium finishes, claiming second place in Spain and third place in Canada.
Coulthard has observed a noticeable change in the performance of the seven-time world champion.
“Lewis, when he’s on form, is a formidable teammate,” Coulthard told the Formula For Success podcast.
“There’s a class there, and it doesn’t mean he’s unbeatable because even the late great Senna was occasionally beaten by his teammates.
“But I think we’ve definitely seen a little turning of the tide in terms of Lewis looking pretty sharp, and there’s a spring in his voice, if you like, when he’s talking to the team.”
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Coulthard’s assessment highlights Hamilton’s resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks.
Despite facing initial difficulties with the W14, the British driver has showcased his determination and skill by making significant improvements in his performance.
Hamilton’s renewed confidence and competitive spirit have undoubtedly played a role in his recent success on the track.