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Lewis Hamilton has been told to spend more time in the gym instead of acting like a pantomime dame after his back issues from Sunday’s race in Baku.
It has been a horrendous start for Hamilton and the Mercedes team, they have been struggling to deal with the ride of the car after the sport tweaked their regulations for the new season.
The Brackley based team have been trying to minimise the porpoising issue when the Silver Arrows are travelling at high speed, but to date, they have failed to address the issue.
The issue was at the forefront for Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, during the race, the vicious bouncing led to a radio message from Hamilton that said: “Argh! My back is killing me.”
Lewis Hamilton:
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 12, 2022
"My back is killing me" 🤕
He doesn't appear to be enjoying himself out there 😓 pic.twitter.com/o7GClFkGmd
Despite his back issues, he managed to finish the race in forth place whilst his much younger team mate, George Russell came home third.
All things considered, it was a good result for the team but they were largely helped by both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari retiring during the race after suffering technical problems.
Mega drives, George and Lewis! That's another podium! 😎
— PETRONAS Motorsports (@PET_Motorsports) June 12, 2022
Capitalising not once, but twice, on Virtual Safety Cars, @MercedesAMGF1 pulled off a brilliant strategy too 💪#OutRaceYourself #PETRONASMotorsports #MercedesAMGF1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/UHvjeuk99Y
Hamilton currently sit sixth in the drivers standings with 62 points, a long way adrift of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who is top with 150 points.
The Brit’s hopes of winning a record breaking eighth world title is all but over.
And now, former F1 driver John Watson, who drove for McLaren and Brabham has sent a stern message of warning to Hamilton.
He told the Daily Mail: “Lewis needs to be careful not to act like a pantomime dame.”
“It is a very difficult car to drive but at 37 the bones are not as forgiving of an uncomfortable ride. This is a whole new world to Lewis.”
Watson added: “He has had seven or so years when Mercedes have been dominant and it’s perhaps like a seven-year itch.”
“George looked pretty fresh afterwards and finished third to Lewis’s fourth. Lewis maybe needs to recalibrate and spend less time in the air and more in the gym.”
🗣️ "You’re just praying for it to end"
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 12, 2022
Lewis Hamilton was honest about how hard it was to drive through the pain on his back and whether adrenaline got him through! 👇 pic.twitter.com/fKhcRg2YMh
After the race in Baku, Hamilton described the race as the worst race he has ever been involved in. Rumours circulated that he would miss the upcoming Canadian Gran Prix but he squashed the rumours on Monday morning.
He posted on Instagram: “I’ll be there this weekend. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Yesterday was tough and I had some trouble sleeping but I have woke up feeling positive today. Back is a little sore and bruised but nothing serious thankfully.”
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes