Lewis Hamilton mulls early exit from Mercedes after Brazilian Grand Prix fiasco – Seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton has hinted at the possibility of an early exit from Mercedes after a frustrating performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British driver, who has been with the team for over a decade, endured another difficult weekend in São Paulo, struggling with the handling of his car and ultimately finishing a dismal 10th. Hamilton’s blunt post-race comments underlined his frustration and fuelled speculation about his continued commitment to the team beyond the 2024 season.

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A weekend to forget for Hamilton who struggles with performance in São Paulo

Hamilton’s troubles began early at Interlagos, with a difficult qualifying session that left him a lowly 14th on the grid. His fortunes didn’t improve in the sprint race, where he finished out of the points in 11th place.

In the main race on Sunday, Hamilton faced an uphill battle, fighting for a single point with a 10th place finish. The weekend’s difficulties were compounded by mechanical problems as he struggled to find grip on the rain-soaked track, leading to frequent slides and instability, particularly on low-speed exits.

Meanwhile, his team-mate George Russell proved to be more stable and finished fourth. Russell’s performance prompted McLaren’s Lando Norris to remark that he “deserved to win the race”, a statement that highlighted the stark difference between the two Mercedes drivers’ weekends.

The contrast between Russell’s and Hamilton’s results in Brazil further fuelled speculation about Hamilton’s recent struggles and his dissatisfaction with the unpredictable performance of the Mercedes W15.

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“I don’t care”: Hamilton on the championship standings

In a post-race interview, Hamilton expressed indifference about his position in the Drivers’ Championship, particularly in relation to Russell.

“My focus is on something else,” he said.

“I’m not fighting for the championship, it doesn’t really matter where we finish.”

He emphasised that his priority is no longer to compete with Russell, but to finish races safely and score points for the team. This shift in perspective reflects Hamilton’s apparent disillusionment with the season and signals a possible end to his Mercedes journey with three races to go.

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Mercedes’ reaction, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari & Speculation of an early F1 exit

Hamilton’s surprising comments have reportedly left Mercedes officials on edge, with some questioning whether he could decide to leave before the season finale.

“Yeah, looking forward to Christmas,” said Hamilton after the race in Brazil.

“If they give me a car that doesn’t bounce off the track in the next few races, then hopefully we can get a better result,” he said.

Hamilton’s full meltdown on the team radio in Sao Paulo proved the biggest cause for concern, however, with the British driver saying: ‘That was a disaster of a weekend guys. That is the worst the car has ever been!”

“But thank you for continuing to try. Great job from the guys at the pitstop,”

“If this is the last time that I get to perform, its a shame it wasn’t great, but grateful for you.”

Despite this, Mercedes are keen to celebrate Hamilton’s contribution with a fitting send-off at the final race in Abu Dhabi, where fans and team members alike had been expecting a farewell performance.

Rumours are rife that a major tribute to the driver, who has been instrumental in Mercedes’ dominance throughout the 2010s, is being planned for the event.

Amid these uncertainties, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season looms in the background. Ferrari’s reported £50m-a-year deal for Hamilton is an indication of their confidence in his ability to deliver strong performances. However, Hamilton’s recent struggles with Mercedes are raising concerns among Ferrari stakeholders as to whether he will be able to regain his former form.

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Farewell tour falls short of expectations

The 2024 season was expected to be a celebratory farewell tour for Hamilton with Mercedes, especially after the team’s decision not to renew his contract. His final season started promisingly, with two wins in a strong run before the summer break.

But as rivals McLaren and Ferrari have continued to push ahead in terms of performance, Mercedes have fallen behind, leaving Hamilton in a car that often feels less competitive. This frustrating reality has taken its toll on the 39-year-old veteran, who had hoped for a stronger end to his career with the team.

Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ director of track engineering, has confirmed that the team is not planning to make any significant updates for the remainder of the season, which is likely to dash any remaining hopes of an improvement in Hamilton’s performance.

“We are not going to make any more major updates to the car,” said Shovlin. Instead, Mercedes will focus on testing smaller components to better prepare for future seasons, making Hamilton’s final races a testing ground rather than a competitive farewell.

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A history of tensions: Hamilton’s outbursts and setbacks

Disappointment and criticism of Mercedes strategy

Hamilton’s unhappiness at Interlagos is far from the first time he has openly expressed his frustration with Mercedes’ decisions.

At the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton voiced his anger at Mercedes’ pit strategy, which he felt disadvantaged him in favour of Russell. His discontent boiled over on the team radio, where he vented: “I can’t believe you guys f***ing screwed me, man. I can’t tell you how pissed I am right now.”

These instances of tension illustrate a recurring theme in Hamilton’s final years with Mercedes, as he has faced increasing struggles both on and off the track.

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The Abu Dhabi controversy and lingering frustrations

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of the 2021 season, where Hamilton lost his bid for an unprecedented eighth world championship in controversial circumstances, remains a sore point. In that race, confusion over the handling of the safety car restart led to Hamilton losing out to Max Verstappen, sparking debates about the direction of the race and fairness.

Hamilton famously remarked on the team radio that he felt the outcome of the race had been “rigged”, a statement that underlined his disillusionment with the sport’s governing bodies and marked a turning point in his relationship with F1.

As the 2024 season draws to a close, Hamilton’s recent comments in Brazil suggest a sense of resignation and fatigue. His comments about simply “keeping the car out of the wall” and “hopefully getting a better result” reveal a driver who feels let down by his team’s technical shortcomings.

This sentiment was reinforced by his declaration that the Brazilian Grand Prix could be “the last time I get to drive”, a cryptic message that has fuelled speculation of an abrupt farewell to Mercedes.

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Ferrari’s gamble: What lies ahead for Hamilton?

Hamilton’s future with Ferrari is set to begin in 2025, when he will join Charles Leclerc. The partnership promises to bring an influx of experience to Ferrari, but Hamilton’s recent track record at Mercedes raises questions about his readiness for the challenge.

At 39, Hamilton has struggled to adapt to the unpredictable nature of his Mercedes W15 and has often lagged behind younger drivers in qualifying and race results. His struggles in Brazil, particularly in the wet conditions that were once his speciality, signal a loss of confidence that could affect his future performance at Ferrari.

The Italian team, while competitive, has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years. While Leclerc has shown promise, Ferrari’s technical and strategic missteps have prevented them from consistently challenging for championships. Hamilton’s signing is seen as an investment in the team’s future, but his recent frustrations and visible signs of burnout cast doubt on whether Ferrari’s gamble will pay off.

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The legacy of an F1 icon

Regardless of how Hamilton’s tenure with Mercedes ends, his legacy in F1 is indelible. He achieved unprecedented success, winning a record seven world titles, and was a trailblazer both on and off the track. His time with Mercedes saw him dominate the sport alongside the team, setting records and raising awareness of issues of diversity and equality. Hamilton’s career is a testament to his resilience, adaptability and relentless pursuit of excellence.

As Hamilton looks ahead to his imminent move to Ferrari, his legacy remains intact. However, his recent struggles and public expressions of frustration signal the end of an era for both the driver and Mercedes. With just three races remaining in the season, fans and team members alike are left wondering whether Hamilton will see the season through to the end, or if an early exit could mark the end of his legendary career with Mercedes.

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MORE F1 NEWS – Penalty for Norris is final

Russell also sanctioned: Lando Norris penalty upheld after Brazil GP to compound an unfortunate race for Lando amid hopes dashed of championship gains on Verstappen – Lando Norris suffered a frustrating end to the Brazilian Grand Prix, finishing a distant sixth after a turbulent race full of safety car interruptions, mistakes and bad timing.

The result fell well short of his hopes of closing the gap on championship leader Max Verstappen. To add to the disappointment, Norris was later sanctioned by the stewards, adding a €5,000 fine to an already challenging race day…READ MORE ON THIS STORY