Never one to hold back an opinion, 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has said the reigning world champions are "in crisis" in 2018. The Silver Arrows have not won a race so far this season despite looking like title favourites during pre-season testing.
The Mercedes car has been off of the pace set by their rivals Ferrari and with Red Bull showing in China they are able to capitalise when others fall, it has meant the championship is wide open, and Villeneuve says the current champions need to wake up.
"Hamilton is in crisis and is losing points for the championship," he told Sky Italia.
"But I think all of Mercedes is in crisis. Now they must bet on (Valtteri) Bottas, who is not a championship driver.
"After the impressive qualifying in Melbourne, Lewis is no longer able to drive the car. It's very troubling.
"We saw last year that when he's in crisis he loses a lot, falls behind in the races and falls asleep, is not aggressive. We'll have to see when and if he wakes up."
The F1 circus visits Baku, Azerbaijan next and it is a venue that Hamilton has never been victorious at. He will need to remedy that fact if he is to reignite his championship defence.
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