In a sharp critique of Lewis Hamilton’s season so far, Formula 1 commentator Martin Brundle has expressed skepticism about the seven-time world champion’s claims regarding his lack of understanding of Ferrari’s car.

Hamilton’s performance this season has raised eyebrows, particularly his disappointing results at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he finished 31 seconds behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. According to Brundle, the explanation provided by Hamilton simply doesn’t add up.

Hamilton’s performance this year has been underwhelming, even though his long-standing teammate, Leclerc, has outperformed him in every race.

Despite the Ferrari car being a step behind the front-runners, Leclerc managed to secure a podium finish in Jeddah while Hamilton was relegated to seventh place in the same race. This result has led to some questioning whether the 40-year-old Briton’s issues with the car go beyond just adaptation to a new machine.

Brundle, a former F1 driver himself, has made it clear that he doesn’t buy into Hamilton’s explanation that he doesn’t understand the car. Speaking on Sky Sports, Brundle said, “Fred [Vasseur] summed it up, he said it’s been up and down, because there was a time when we talked about in commentary where he was in the mid 1:32s which was bang on the pace.” This, Brundle suggests, should have been a clear indicator that Hamilton had the speed. Yet, despite moments of pace, the result was still disappointing, with Hamilton finishing well behind Leclerc.

The race in Jeddah further complicated Hamilton’s claims. While Leclerc managed a podium finish, Hamilton found himself 31 seconds adrift, a gap that was partly due to being stuck in traffic. However, Brundle emphasized that the inconsistency in Hamilton’s performance has raised doubts about the underlying issues with his adaptation to the Ferrari car.

“I struggle to buy into he doesn’t understand the car,” Brundle continued. “It’s a new car [but] here we are knocking on the door of May, and they’ve had all the preseason stuff and all that. So I just think Lewis hasn’t gelled with this car, and I don’t think he’s going the right way on the setup.”

Brundle’s comments reflect his long-standing insight into the world of Formula 1, and he pointed out how Hamilton’s difficulties might stem from not getting the car to work in the way he needs it to. “I know from the things I’ve heard from Mercedes about how Lewis likes the car in a certain way,” Brundle said, alluding to Hamilton’s specific preferences regarding car setup. He added that Hamilton’s inability to get the car in the right setup has led to what Brundle described as “difficult days” for the Briton. However, Brundle remains puzzled, stating, “What’s a bit odd is, all of a sudden, he was right there,” suggesting that Hamilton has moments of brilliance but struggles to maintain them.

While Hamilton’s struggles with the Ferrari car are noteworthy, Brundle also compared the situation to other drivers in similar circumstances. He referred to 18-year-old Oliver Bearman, who impressed on his debut last season in the same race, adapting quickly to a new car. Brundle also mentioned Kimi Antonelli, who has seamlessly integrated into the Ferrari setup, working with the team’s engineer Bono. “Bearman, it took him a day last year here, but then he wasn’t relearning a car. He was just getting in and learning a car,” Brundle remarked.

Despite the struggles, Brundle firmly believes that Hamilton’s performance is below his usual standards. “We know Lewis is better. Lewis is faster than that. So something’s not working. Something’s not gelling there,” Brundle concluded, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering if this season will mark a significant shift in Hamilton’s illustrious career.

With the season still unfolding and a number of races ahead, the question remains whether Hamilton can turn his fortunes around. As Brundle rightly points out, there’s no denying that Hamilton has the talent and experience to succeed. However, until he figures out the elusive connection with his Ferrari car, the 2023 season may continue to be a tough one for the veteran driver.

In the ever-competitive world of Formula 1, every detail counts, and as Brundle highlights, Hamilton’s struggles are a stark reminder that even the best drivers can face challenges when things don’t quite click with their car. The question now is whether Hamilton can overcome this obstacle and prove once again why he’s one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.