believes may have his poor qualifying file “weighing on his thoughts” forward of his blockbuster transfer to subsequent yr.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton will depart on the finish of the season after 12 years to in 2025.
Regardless of profitable two races this yr – at Silverstone and Spa – Hamilton is on monitor to file his lowest-ever championship place. He’s seventh forward of this weekend’s race in Las Vegas.
But it’s the 39-year-old’s qualifying file, the place he trails Mercedes teammate George Russell 16-5 this yr, which is a priority, significantly forward of battling towards Charles Leclerc subsequent yr.
“Is he [Lewis] as quick as Charles over one lap? I don’t assume so – however I don’t assume anybody is,” Sky F1 skilled Chandhok advised The Unbiased.
“I feel Charles is one of the best qualifier in F1. Is Lewis nonetheless able to profitable the world championship in the correct automotive? Completely. I feel there may be nonetheless sufficient proof to recommend he’s fast sufficient.
“I feel Lewis is anxious about it [his qualifying record], he’s sounded fairly despondent in current instances, saying ‘my qualifying is horrible, I’ve forgotten easy methods to qualify.’
“It sounds bizarre for a man who’s statistically probably the most profitable qualifier within the historical past of the game.
“I do assume it’s weighing on his thoughts. It’s one in all these items, perhaps he wants a brand new problem. He’s had three years of not having the chance to battle for pole. When he can battle for pole, drivers like him can discover one other gear.”
Hamilton has recorded 104 pole positions alongside his 105 wins in a 17-year profession within the sport, however Leclerc is seen as one of many quickest one-lap drivers amid the following era of F1 stars.
Hamilton will exchange Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, who himself has gained two races this yr, and Chandhok insists we gained’t know till the top of 2025 whether or not Ferrari’s determination in January to signal Hamilton was the correct one.
“Have Ferrari made the correct name dropping Carlos Sainz in favour of Lewis?” he stated. “You look a Carlos’ current run, the win in Mexico was excellent. We’ll solely have the ability to reply that on the finish of subsequent yr.
“We’re not seeing Lewis at his finest as a result of the automotive will not be significantly motivating for him. For a man who’s gained over 100 grands prix and 7 world championships, I get it. You’re not tremendous motivated to complete seventh.
“They [Ferrari] haven’t employed him to be sooner than Charles. They’ve employed him as a result of he’s the entire package deal. That’s the place persons are getting barely confused.”
Hamilton, regardless of a poor run of kind, will probably be seeking to finish his Mercedes profession on a excessive on the last three races of the 2024 season in Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Watch each single session from the Las Vegas race weekend reside on Sky Sports activities F1
