Johnny Herbert has described Lewis Hamilton’s latest difficulties as ‘horrible to watch’. The seven-time world champion has shown significantly improved speed in recent weekends, but his final execution has fallen short, as his podiumless streak continues.
Hamilton struggled to match his team-mate, Charles Leclerc, during the first part of the campaign, particularly in qualifying, which often hampered his race weekends before the lights went out on Sundays. The pace gap between the two drivers has now all but disappeared, yet the Brit remains without a top-three finish to his name in 2025.
This was most evident in Mexico City. After qualifying third, one spot behind Leclerc, Hamilton was fighting for the lead at Turn One. However, he was caught up in a battle with former foe Max Verstappen and picked up a penalty for failing to use the escape road correctly.
After serving this, he was mired back in the pack, and he crossed the line in eighth, marking another promising Sunday that went awry. Leclerc, meanwhile, executed his race to perfection, finishing second for his seventh podium of the campaign. The points gap between the two team-mates is now 64 points.
According to former FIA steward Herbert, a pattern is emerging. “A mixed bag,” he told AdventureGamers, looking back at the Brit’s Mexican Grand Prix. “It was good to see Lewis race with Max. I thought that was a great piece of racing.
“There was a little bit of wheel-banging, but that was the way racing should be. It was a late dive up the inside. Lewis probably wasn’t expecting it. It was another frustrating weekend for him. It was a better qualifying.
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“He seemed to be happier with the qualifying performance. But then in the race it didn’t quite materialise. It just didn’t click for him. It just seems to be an ongoing thing. It’s horrible to watch.
“It’s an ongoing saga for him where Charles is still being very consistent and getting the job done. Lewis did say he was more comfortable with the car. So, let’s see if there is progress in the remaining races. They want that. All Lewis fans will want that at the same time. It hasn’t yet materialised.”
For Hamilton, the motivation is there to continue his ongoing efforts to improve behind the scenes. Ferrari are locked into a tense Constructors’ Championship battle with Mercedes and Red Bull for the spots between second and fourth, with millions of pounds in prize money on the line. Heading into the final four rounds, 10 points covers the three organisations.
