Lewis Hamilton’s early season problems ‘no fault of his own’ amid Mercedes woes, claims F1 icon Mark Webber
MARK WEBBER has argued that the criticism being aimed at Lewis Hamilton is unfair.
Hamilton, 37, is currently seventh in the Formula One Drivers’ Championship standings after a poor start to the season.
His best race finish so far came on the opening day in Bahrain, where he stood third on the podium.
But since then he has been outperformed by new teammate George Russell.
And now he is 58 points adrift of Championship leader Charles Leclerc.
However, according to Webber, Hamilton’s below-par performances are not his fault.
Read More on Formula One
As per the Daily Mail, he said: “I think people are being pretty harsh, pretty fast on Lewis.
“In Bahrain he drove brilliantly to third place. In Saudi there was a safety car involved there with a pit stop. Same in Melbourne.
“So I think there have been quite a few points he’s missed through no fault of his own.
“It’s only Imola where he had a tricky qualifying and race.
Most read in Motorsport
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“Of course, everyone’s forgetting how the other points were lost through no fault of his own.”
Webber has also urged fans not to give up on the seven-time World Champion.
When speaking ahead of the Formula E Monaco E-Prix, he added: “Never, ever underestimate an organisation like those guys.
“It’s going to be fascinating to see how the next few weeks go.
“Lewis is at his most dangerous with his back against the wall.
“He’s never short of motivation – that’s why he’s probably the greatest of all time.”
Hamilton has already admitted defeat in the race for the Drivers’ Championship title.
After the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, he said: “It’s been difficult, but I don’t really know what to say. It’s definitely not easy.
“I am out of the championship, and there’s no question about that.
Read More on The Sun
“But I’ll still keep working as hard as I can, to try and pull it back together somehow.
“It has been a weekend to forget for sure.”