Hamilton Sits Out Wednesday Practice, Back Issue Continues to Plague Star
Hamilton, Ontario - Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, was forced to miss Wednesday's practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix due to a persistent back issue. The Mercedes driver, who has been struggling with discomfort since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, opted to skip the session to prioritize his recovery.
"Unfortunately, my back is still giving me trouble, and I need to give it some rest," Hamilton said in a statement. "We've been working hard with the medical team, and I'm confident we can get it sorted for the rest of the weekend."
Hamilton's absence from practice is a significant blow to Mercedes' preparations for the race. The German team has struggled for pace throughout the early part of the season, and Hamilton's experience and feedback are crucial to their performance.
"We understand Lewis' decision," said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. "His health is our priority, and we want him to be 100% ready for the race. We'll continue to work with him and the medical team to manage the situation."
Hamilton's participation in the remaining practice sessions and qualifying is currently unclear. The team will continue to monitor his condition, and a decision on his participation will be made closer to the race.
While the exact nature of Hamilton's back injury has not been disclosed, the issue is believed to be related to the heavy braking loads and forces experienced by drivers in modern Formula 1 cars. The problem has worsened in recent races, leading to Hamilton's decision to miss practice.
The Canadian Grand Prix is one of Hamilton's favorite races, and he has won a record eight times at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. However, his hopes of adding a ninth victory to his tally may be in jeopardy if his back issue persists.
Fans will be watching closely to see if Hamilton is able to recover in time for the race. His performance could be crucial for Mercedes' chances of challenging Red Bull and Ferrari at the top of the championship standings.
