Race 9 - 2025 Spanish GP [Circuit de Catalunya - Barcelona]

[Nitrodaze]

I also think my belief that Lewis is no longer a world-beater is coming true. His last three years have been nothing but complaints. Sure, he'll score points, maybe get a luck podium, but I don't think he is ever going to outscore Charles.

His years post-Abu Dhabi have been well below what we were used to seeing from Hamilton. Since then, a lot of new, younger talent have moved into the limelight and have to some extent overshadowed his perceived performance capability. Much like it did for Vettel and Alonso. And even Schumacher in his post-Ferrari years. The question on everyone's mind is, has he still got that magic that propelled Mercedes to 8 constructors' titles? Unfortunately, since Abu Dhabi 2021, we have not seen Hamilton in a championship-winning car. Apart from Rosburg, he is yet to be beaten in a championship-winning car.

Based on his performance since 2021, most are inclined to say he is done. And the evidence would suggest that. But what the evidence do not have, is seeing Hamilton in a proper championship-winning car after 2021. And to see how he performs in such a car relative to his teammate and rivals in other cars.

I personally think he is a bit lost and needs to find his way back to being comfortable in his car. And he needs the help of his team to get him in sync with the car. When they do, we will see the true level that Hamilton is at. It may be the return of Hamilton of pre-2021, or he may fall short of LeClerc and everyone else. Until then, it is hard to rule him out completely.
I am hoping for a championship-winning Ferrari so that we may see him properly fight with Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, LeClerc and Russell. The last hurray if you like before he puts down his helmet and bows out of F1.

He is a phenomenal champion, and he is deserving of better than how Ferrari is treating him at the moment. I think it is very wasteful and disgraceful what is going on at Ferrari at the moment.