Leclerc leads Verstappen, Hamilton only 18th in second practice

34 comments on “Leclerc leads Verstappen, Hamilton only 18th in second practice”

1. 

   Red Andy (@red-andy)
   22nd March 2024, 7:12

   This is why Albert Park should be the opening round of the season. A genuinely challenging track with low grip, and the capacity to catch both teams and drivers out. A far better prospect than a soulless desert venue where the teams have already spent several days testing.
   1. 

      Mayrton
      22nd March 2024, 9:47

      Yeah but you are looking at it from a sports perspective. Liberty looks at revenue.
      1. 

         Asd
         22nd March 2024, 20:17

         @Mayrton
         Red Andy is not Liberty. Red Andy is Red Andy. Telling him what his perspective is makes no sense.
         1. 

            Mayrton
            24th March 2024, 10:56

            Thank you Asd, but I think it is called sarcasm.
   2. 

      someone or something
      22nd March 2024, 10:50

      I agree, there’s just something about this track that captivates me. I’ve barely felt anything while watching the first couple of race weekends, but Albert Park is a different story. Feels like F1 is back.
2. 

   Ben
   22nd March 2024, 7:57

   It’s crazy how far Hamilton has fallen. I’m genuinely expecting Ferrari to drop their offer before the end of the year. It’s sad to see but he needs to retire now. 6th race in a row where Russell is fighting for the top 3 and Hamilton won’t even make it out of Q1.
   1. 

      Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
      22nd March 2024, 8:14

      I think Lewis has already said they are doing more testing of set-ups and new parts with his car. He talked about it only a few days ago. So I don’t think this is all down to his driving.

      Lewis maybe a little lacking in pace compared to George, but he is not driving the optimum version of the car.
      1. 

         MichaelN
         22nd March 2024, 11:12

         Exactly, and the whole point of testing something drastic is moot if there is no baseline to compare it to. Putting both cars on an experimental setup is not useful to anyone.

         That Mercedes feels the need to do this is of course not a great sign, but it’s nice to see them be open about it.
   2. 

      CarWars (@maxv)
      22nd March 2024, 8:16

      Its a motivation problem i think, if the car doesnt have the potential he is not on his top form. It’s a scary prospect because drivers like Vettel and Ricciardo sort of did the same but never recovered, as if they lost their mojo at some point. Hamilton is of a different class of fighter though, if Ferrari can give him a car thats fast i am sure he will be up there in the fight.
      1. 

         Mr B
         22nd March 2024, 8:29

         I think you are right. Drivers who have consistently fought for race wins and world championships seem to find it very hard to get motivated when fighting for lower places. It’s fully understandable especially if you’ve been on the merry-go-round of Formula One for so many years. Just like signing your first autograph’s when you enter F1 and become famous is exciting but after 18 years of it – not so much fun.
   3. 

      MadMax (@madmax)
      22nd March 2024, 8:20

      armchair detractors as usual. Maybe inform yourself before spreading your biased nonsense.
      1. 

         Ben
         22nd March 2024, 8:50

         Inform myself of what @madmax ?

         I’ve stated nothing but fact and my opinion on Ferrari is just that. They’ve got an impressive Bearman waiting in the wings and are watching their star signing trundle round in the top 10.

         Hamilton used to be great, but as others have mentioned drivers like Vettel and Ricciardo were once too. Everyone has a limit and it looks like Hamilton is done.
         1. 

            MadLewis
            22nd March 2024, 9:15

            Don’t mind MadMax. He’s from the LH44 fan brigade. A premium member.
         2. 

            Craig
            22nd March 2024, 9:50

            If you’re basing your opinion on a couple okay results and a bad practice session then you really need to review your opinion as it seems to be omitting a lot of information. First bit of significant information to compare your opinion to; he was 3rd in the championship last year behind only the Red Bulls.
            1. 

               Ben
               22nd March 2024, 10:43

               Craig couple means two. Hamilton had been well beaten by Russell in the last 6 events. It not me who needs to review anything…
         3. 

            Esploratore (@esploratore1)
            22nd March 2024, 14:11

            Strange how when hamilton had a dominant car you always talked him up and now you always talk him down, while some of us are capable to see the importance of the car and in this case of free practice!

            You just said hamilton will not make it out of q1 based on practice result, how unrealistic is that?
      2. 

         Nm
         22nd March 2024, 11:39

         Again, calling other people biased lol.
   4. 

      notagrumpyfan
      22nd March 2024, 9:20

      6th race in a row where Russell is fighting for the top 3 and Hamilton won’t even make it out of Q1.

      FP2!
      And from memory Hamilton made it into Q2 (and Q3) in the previous five rounds, so six in a row will be a challenge :P

      It’s known that Hamilton is often a slow starter to the season; even in some of his WDC seasons. I don’t expect anything different this season.
   5. 

      Mayrton
      22nd March 2024, 9:49

      I bet people will claim he is doing all the testing for the team. Bit hard to keep up as it is no longer in his interest to make the team stronger. My bet is he will be replaced during the summer break. Mercedes should use the opportunity to already let their next years driver make some mileage in that car.
      1. 

         SteveP
         22nd March 2024, 10:38

         I bet people will claim he is doing all the testing for the team.

         Coming into the weekend Mercedes said they were going to doing some big experimental setups on both cars, anyone seen any sign that George has been involved in any experiment?
         1. 

            DaveW (@dmw)
            22nd March 2024, 11:41

            Per Mercedes, no. Hamilton is the Guinea pig now for set up and probably correlation work. Because he is more experienced with both. Just like early 22. Results will be the same.
            1. 

               pcxmac (@pcxmac)
               22nd March 2024, 12:14

               no, they are sabotaging him because hes leaving. hes testing parts for george, not both cars.
   6. 

      Dane
      22nd March 2024, 13:09

      It’s pretty sad, but I genuinely wonder if we have already seen Hamilton’s last win.
      1. 

         Esploratore (@esploratore1)
         22nd March 2024, 14:14

         Which would go back to 2021, potentially he could’ve won brazil 2022, but for verstappen’s collision, there was some minor chance in usa and silverstone 2022, I think, and he got a pole in hungary 2023, but had a bad start and there was no chance.

         I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets back to form at ferrari, but only if they have a quick car; while ferrari can’t be relied at all to win titles, a win is not out of the cards.
      2. 

         earthling (@34rthl1ng)
         22nd March 2024, 21:22

         It will take a miracle just to see another podium. You cannot escape dotage
   7. 

      Dave
      22nd March 2024, 19:09

      Conspiracy theory:)

      Not a HAM fan – quite the opposite but I think it’s rather obvious the relationship Between HAM and Merc/Toto is more than strained. Merc will do everything in their power to make sure HAM does not have a better year than George. They will try to prove they didn’t want to offer him more than a 2 year contract because his skills have diminished. Basically the same as what Alpine did to ALO when they only offered him a 1 year contract.

      George is now the number 1 driver and will have the last say concerning chassis modifications etc. And if the rumors are true about Max possibly coming over in 2026, they may take his preferences into account. Lewis will get the short end of the stick. I wouldn’t call it sabotage but they won’t be doing him any favors.

      I’m sure Lewis knows he is a lame duck this year. Not to say he won’t have a good year as I don’t think he has lost much of his skill and his desire is still there. I think both parties will be relieved when they part.
3. 

   Davis
   22nd March 2024, 8:18

   Also Fernando… Behind his teammate second practice in a row who isn’t exactly highly rated either
   1. 

      Jim
      22nd March 2024, 16:06

      It’s how they finish in the race. How many races has Lance finished ahead of ALO? Enough said.
4. 

   CarWars (@maxv)
   22nd March 2024, 10:01

   Hamilton has 8 points..
5. 

   DaveW (@dmw)
   22nd March 2024, 11:37

   Even if they strip the mad scientist set up from Hamiltons car Russells results say they are still nowhere in their pursuit of RBR.

   Russell probably has to be wondering where he can go next year too.
   1. 

      pcxmac (@pcxmac)
      22nd March 2024, 12:15

      thry have been building the car aound him for the last 2 plus years, george knows where hes going.
6. 

   Dane
   22nd March 2024, 13:11

   Here we go, Ferrari building up hope so the tifosi can get their hearts broken on Sunday.
   1. 

      JohnS
      22nd March 2024, 15:07

      Ya maybe Max will use the next higher gear on Sunday. :-)
7. 

   Pjotr (@pietkoster)
   22nd March 2024, 16:10

   After all these Mercedes experiments you wonder if Hamilton has the ability to tell those at Mercedes what they need to do to get the car to his driving style. It is one try after another without knowing what they are actually doing. Strange..

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