‘Nothing makes a difference’ – Lewis Hamilton losing hope as Mercedes’ F1 struggles continue ahead of Australian GP

LEWIS HAMILTON has been left frustrated by his miserable start to the season.

Hamilton, who was pipped to a record eighth world title in last year's final race in controversial circumstances, has struggled to keep up with the Ferraris and current F1 champ, Max Verstappen's Red Bull.

There was more doom and gloom in Melbourne as he was only 13th quickest around Albert Park in practice and he was over a second off the pace of the leaders.

He groaned: "Just nothing we change on the car makes a difference at the moment. So that's the difficult thing.

"You get in [to the track] very optimistic, make changes, and then it doesn't seem to be wanting to improve.

"So we made some changes going to P2 and it ended up being a bit harder for me. I don't know. It is just a tricky car.

"There is not a lot we can do. This is the way it is. I just have to drive with it.

"That's the frustrating thing, you're trying to push and catch and even when you do a decent lap, it's 1.2s down so it's difficult."

Hamilton, who finished down in 10th place last out in Saudi Arabia, was beaten in practice - but only just - by new team-mate George Russell.

And Hamilton has rubbished suggestions from former F1 champ Jacques Villeneuve that Russell has the advantage because he was used to driving a poor car at Williams.

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Hamilton hit back saying: "I find it amusing some of the things that come out of his mouth....

"I remember my first go-kart was fifth hand. I have driven lots of different cars and found myself relatively adaptable, so I should be good."

Hamilton also says his relationship with Russell, 24, is excellent after he replaced Valtteri Bottas in the team after five seasons.

He added: "It's good to be with someone younger, you know, I was just saying earlier on how old Valtteri is!

"I think George has been great. I think he's been great for the team. It was obviously an amazing journey that Valtteri and I had working together and George was already a part of the team before that.

"So it's been going really well. We were surfing together the other day and he's blended really well into the team."

Meanwhile, the 37-year-old has welcomed the news that F1 will race in Las Vegas in 2023 but says he would like to see a GP in South Africa as Africa remains the only continent without a race on the current schedule.

He said: "It's amazing the relationship we have now, three races on one continent. I think that's going to be awesome.

"I think it will be good for the business, Vegas will be an awesome addition.

"The one I really, really want to see is South Africa. That's the one I really want to hear next that gets announced."