Button on Hamilton's problems: 'Doesn't have the confidence to push'

Lewis Hamilton has indicated that he is struggling with his new car. Although the Brit scored the first podium of the season for Mercedes. In qualifying, his struggles are particularly apparent: Hamilton has been beaten by George Russell every time so far.

Hamilton finished second in Australia behind Max Verstappen. The Brit started the race third, behind his teammate Russell, with Verstappen on pole. Both Mercedes drivers passed the Dutchman on the first lap, with Russell in the lead. However, the young Brit was unlucky with the red flag and as a result, the seven-time World Champion ended up in front of his teammate.

'No confidence to push'

Hamilton himself has already said he is struggling with the W14 and Jenson Button explains why this is so. "It's to do with what he's not feeling," Button told Sky Sports. "I think that's the biggest problem with Lewis."

"He’s quite aggressive on the throttle, quite aggressive on the brake and he does everything through the steering wheel, so he really needs to feel what’s happening through the rear of the car through his arms. And he’s not getting that so he doesn’t have that confidence to push the car and these cars are tricky anyway, especially in qualifying, and if he doesn’t have that confidence, he’s not able to get the maximum out of it.”