Karun Chandhok says world champion looks ‘despondent’ at Australian Grand Prix

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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton appeared to be in ‘despondent’ mood after practice for the Australian Grand Prix, Karun Chandhok says.

Hamilton ranked 18th among 19 runners in second practice on Friday afternoon.

And speaking on the F1 Show, Sky Sports pundit Chandhok said the seven-time world champion looked dispirited.

Hamilton was only ninth in FP1 but he finished within a couple of tenths of Lando Norris’ benchmark in the McLaren.

However, the tweaks Mercedes made to his W15 car ahead of FP2 backfired significantly as he tumbled down the order.

Hamilton would end up more than 1.5 seconds off the pace set by future Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

While George Russell fared better in sixth, he was seven tenths off himself in a bleak reflection of Mercedes’ chances in Melbourne.

Karun Chandhok says Lewis Hamilton facing ‘challenge’ in Australia

Former F1 driver Chandhok says Mercedes will be hard at work in their Brackley base trying to improve matters for Hamilton before qualifying.

But it’s clear that the Silver Arrows have a lot of ground to make up if they’re to walk away with a respectable result.

Chandhok said: “He looked pretty despondent, didn’t he. It seems like they’ve started on the backfoot.

“They’ll have the race support team running the simulator between now and the start of FP3, trying a whole load of setup options.

“They’ll have information from George’s car, but it’s going to be a challenge.”

Hamilton’s mood changes quickly in Melbourne

F1TV’s Lawrence Baretto had said on Thursday that Hamilton looked like a ‘different driver’ in Albert Park.

The veteran appeared to have a ‘spring in his step’ as he looked to launch his season after making his poorest start since 2009.

Hamilton expressed confidence that there was ‘amazing’ potential in his new car as Toto Wolff’s team made changes.

Mercedes have experimented with the floor they used in pre-season testing in a bid to improve performance.

However, Friday’s sessions appeared to be a step in the wrong direction for the 103-time race-winner.

Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle noted that the Mercedes was the ‘most difficult’ car to drive through the first couple of corners.

Hamilton has scored a record eight pole positions in Melbourne but may struggle to even reach Q3 without a major step forward overnight.