It represents the 39-year-old’s lowest grid position at Albert Park for 14 years, where he has started from pole position on eight occasions in the past. And after only managing eight points from the first two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Hamilton seemingly disagrees with the assertions of Wolff that his current car will challenge for race wins.
Speaking on his Ted’s Notebook segment, Sky F1 reporter Ted Kravitz outlined the issues between the pair, saying: “Toto Wolff – he still believes that this car (W15) is somehow going to get there but clearly, I don’t think Lewis Hamilton believes it.
“I think Lewis Hamilton thinks it’s cursed with the same bad handing characteristics in the rear of the car that last year’s car – and the car the year before it – had as well. And clearly this car is still not right.”
Kravitz also claimed that the team principal had told him personally of his optimism that the team could turn things around, a notion Hamilton has already publicly dismissed. “Toto when I spoke to him just now said ‘I still think we can make it right’” he added.
“But Lewis pretty much wrote off this year’s world championship. Lewis made the point himself that he is now 43 points off Max Verstappen after just two races, he has eight points and Max has 51. It might not be the golden goodbye to Mercedes before he goes to Ferrari.”
Indeed, Hamilton has now not won a Grand Prix race since December 2021, a barren run that is now unlikely to end in Melbourne. And after qualifying, he appeared at a loss when trying to explain why he was being out-performed by teammate Russell.
“It’s just a flat feeling,” Hamilton said. “It’s not great. I’m less consistent than George. He is doing a better job with the car. Three qualifying sessions in a row he has out-qualified me.”
Russell has 18 points thus far in 2024 and his partner added: “He’s just seems to get on a lot better than I do. I’m just trying to keep my head above water and continue to realise it could be way worse.”
