F1 Half Term Report: Rate the Grid - Lewis Hamilton

[Paul Jeffrey]

2017 has been a different experience for Lewis Hamilton. Has finding himself under pressure from Ferrari brought the best out of the Briton, or are the cracks starting to show?

Following several seasons enjoying the finest car on the Grand Prix grid, 2017 has seen a renewed challenge from rivals Ferrari that have given Mercedes more of a fight than anyone expected heading into the new year in Melbourne.

With pressure from his new team mate Bottas, Vettel on top form and a car that is, at best, a match for the scarlet machines from Italy, how do you think the three time World Champion is fairing up against renewed competition inside and outside the German team?

Vote now to tell us how you rate the first half of 2017 for Lewis Hamilton, and leave a comment below!

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[paracletus]

Not one of LH's best years by far. Many problems, some car related & some performance related.
On a good day, the other merc driver has been getting left behind very quickly - and that shows how fast LH can be. Will rate at the end of the year.

 

[fortyfivekev]

Still the quickest guy out there but there seem to be more off days now which is a shame.

 

[Peks Zo]

It's almost like a double edged sword, when Lewis is on top of his game, he cannot be beat, recording three grand slams in the process. However, when he has an off day, he is truly off the pace which is rather unfortunate

 

[ale9357]

Strange season for Ham by now... He's capable of stunning performances but he suffers also some mental weaknesses that drive him off. Let's see what happens and how he will approach the last part of the season,with the title battle in its hottest phase.

 

[MrCharme]

Still one of the best if not the best. Only problem is if he is slower than SV and/or VB, he has no motivation at all

 

[Jan Larsen]

8. One a good day, with the car behaving, he's unbeatable, especially in qually. However, if the car dosent behave he's crap and dosent get anywhere near all out of the car. Very much a mood driver. Pressured this year by Ferrari, something he evidently isnt used to.

 

[darkelf1]

Hamilton and Alonso....

 

[Klodian Stafa]

not as good as 2014-2016 but he is in a fight in championship wich gives him a good rate he has good and bad days when he has good days and his car is fuly performing he is unbeatable

 

[Enagee]

How many drivers can live life to the fullest and be competitive.... Maybe the lifestyle is catching up.. Either way big respect to the likes of him and Usain Bolt. Party and be fast.. Score 8

 

[Sky]

#blest #jezchrist #hairreplacement

 

[Coffer]

6. Biggest letdown of the season by far. He's been in total freefall since Hungary 2015, with his own incompetence being what allowed his unreliability to cost him the championship to a very weak driver (Rosberg) last year, and now he's actually losing the championship despite being the #1 driver in a much better car. Worse yet, Bottas is almost catching him in the championship and he would be behind without team orders or Bottas's engine failure. There's also no excuse for his showing in Baku. Very lucky to have the FIA assist him the same way Hill was in 1994.

If he continues at this rate he's doomed. If he loses, Mercedes need to seriously consider bringing in a new #1 driver like Verstappen, and right now, he's not showing that he has what it takes to beat Vettel in a straight fight. The move to Mercedes may have given him a couple of free titles, but they've ruined his pace and racecraft. Total far cry from how good (and unfortunate) he was in 2012.

 

[Thang Nguyen]

In one word: incredible.
Hamilton has impressed me so much!
I give him 10.

 

[Terry Rock]

6. Biggest letdown of the season by far. He's been in total freefall since Hungary 2015, with his own incompetence being what allowed his unreliability to cost him the championship to a very weak driver (Rosberg) last year, and now he's actually losing the championship despite being the #1 driver in a much better car. Worse yet, Bottas is almost catching him in the championship and he would be behind without team orders or Bottas's engine failure. There's also no excuse for his showing in Baku. Very lucky to have the FIA assist him the same way Hill was in 1994.

If he continues at this rate he's doomed. If he loses, Mercedes need to seriously consider bringing in a new #1 driver like Verstappen, and right now, he's not showing that he has what it takes to beat Vettel in a straight fight. The move to Mercedes may have given him a couple of free titles, but they've ruined his pace and racecraft. Total far cry from how good (and unfortunate) he was in 2012.

No bias here....

 

[HAMALO]

Yeah yeah for all the haters they can complain. But one thing is for sure and that is in Baku Hamilton lost 25 points and at Baku he gave 4 points to Bottas. So if that wouldnt happen >SNIP< he would be leading with at least 20 points thats a fact. But no worry haters finaly Hamilton will win the championship >SNIP<

Mod-Edit: Removed the insults.... Stay friendly in our Forum Hamalo !

 

[Jos Swarthoff]

He got senna's friggin helmet... 9/10

 

[Runic]

8. Unbeatable on his day. But he has shown be to be very inconsistent so far this year.

 

[pcraenme]

He should 'drive circles' around Bottas driving with the best car on the grid and knowing the car and team for years and Bottas being new to the team. But, he is not only challenged by his new teammate, he is also challenged by a Ferrari this year. I think his performance was already not at his best last year, when Rosberg won the title in the same car as he did (he should be a much better driver than Rosberg), and this year does not seem to be much better.

Lewis is a great driver, maybe even one of the best ever, but he is only showing that occasionally this year. He can do so much better, so I cannot give him a higher score than a 6.

 

[M-Bimmer]

Sorry but don't like Stuck ups but he finally showed some respect this season for a team mate and he more relaxed and that is good to see. (No offence)
He might snatch another title and we all know he has the car to do the job.

 

[Leonardo Chaves]

Hamilton has been inconsistent this season, but even then he's still one of the best drivers through sheer talent.