believes can have his poor qualifying file “weighing on his thoughts” forward of his blockbuster transfer to subsequent yr.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton will go away 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, notably forward of battling in opposition to Charles Leclerc subsequent yr.
“Is he [Lewis] as quick as Charles over one lap? I don’t suppose so – however I don’t suppose anybody is,” Sky F1 skilled Chandhok instructed The Unbiased.
“I feel Charles is the perfect qualifier in F1. Is Lewis nonetheless able to profitable the world championship in the fitting automobile? 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 qualify.’
“It sounds bizarre for a man who’s statistically probably the most profitable qualifier within the historical past of the game.
“I do suppose it’s weighing on his thoughts. It’s one among this stuff, perhaps he wants a brand new problem. He’s had three years of not having the chance to combat for pole. When he can combat 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 subsequent technology of F1 stars.
Hamilton will substitute Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, who himself has gained two races this yr, and Chandhok insists we gained’t know till the tip of 2025 whether or not Ferrari’s choice in January to signal Hamilton was the fitting one.
“Have Ferrari made the fitting 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 be capable of reply that on the finish of subsequent yr.
“We’re not seeing Lewis at his greatest as a result of the automobile is just not notably 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 quicker than Charles. They’ve employed him as a result of he’s the whole package deal. That’s the place individuals are getting barely confused.”
Hamilton, regardless of a poor run of type, can be trying to finish his Mercedes profession on a excessive on the remaining three races of the 2024 season in Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Watch each single session from the Las Vegas race weekend stay on Sky Sports activities F1
