Hamilton lacks technical knowledge: 'He really needs a fast car'

Lewis Hamilton has seven world titles behind his name, but in 2022 the Briton will have a much harder time of it. Philipp Brändle states on ServusTV 's Sport und Talk program that he does know why Hamilton struggles so much with the W13.

Mercedes is having a tough time

On his debut in Formula 1, Hamilton already made an impression by immediately competing for the world title, and all the way to winning it in his second season. At McLaren, he won a race every year, but the switch to Mercedes really brought him success. Indeed, between 2014 and 2020 he won six of the seven available world titles.

In 2021 Hamilton lost the battle to Max Verstappen in the final race of the season, but in 2022 the Briton has been thrown back even further. Mercedes' car is not competitive enough to compete for wins and George Russell is simply getting more out of the W13. Brändle is a former Mercedes engineer and does know why Hamilton is struggling more now.

Hamilton not so technical

''He's really a driver who needs a lot of confidence in the car. He doesn't have the technical background that Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher had. He needs confidence and therefore a really fast car,'' Brändle says of Hamilton.

That Hamilton is struggling with the W13 is clear by now. Hamilton has 34 points less than his new teammate at Mercedes after seven races and is also 3-4 behind in the qualifying duel. For Hamilton, it is important that he gains more confidence in his car to eventually achieve better results.