Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes say no plans for driver to make early exit forward of Ferrari change after cryptic feedback

Mercedes say there aren’t any plans for Lewis Hamilton to get replaced for the ultimate three races of the 2024 Method 1 season, regardless of the seven-time world champion’s cryptic post-race feedback in Brazil.

Hamilton endured a torrid weekend on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, selecting up only one level as he completed eleventh in Saturday’s Dash and tenth in Sunday’s race after making early exits in each qualifying periods.

The 39-year-old is leaving Mercedes after 12 years to affix Ferrari subsequent season, and his remarks over workforce radio after which throughout his post-race interviews led to hypothesis the connection might be lower even shorter than anticipated.

“That was a disaster of a weekend, guys,” Hamilton mentioned on workforce radio. “The worst the car has ever been. Thank you for contributing to try and great job to all the guys at the pit-stop.

“If that is the final time I get to carry out it was a disgrace it wasn’t nice however (I’m) grateful for you.”

Then, chatting with Sky Sports activities F1, he added that he “could happily go and take a holiday” slightly than drive on the season-ending triple-header in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

After exiting Dash Qualifying early on Friday, Hamilton mentioned he was “not massively bothered” by what occurred over the rest of the weekend.

Regardless of not providing any official remark, Mercedes sources have indicated to Sky Sports activities Information that there aren’t any doubts throughout the workforce that Hamilton will drive within the subsequent three races.

In the meantime, a potential clarification for Hamilton’s radio remarks is that his obvious farewell feedback have been directed at workforce members working in Sao Paulo who won’t be current for the ultimate three rounds of the season.

Mercedes have signed Italian teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton’s 2025 alternative. The 18-year-old made his second observe look for the workforce ultimately month’s Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.

Mid-season hope fades as Hamilton goodbye nears

Hamilton’s last marketing campaign with Mercedes appeared set to finish in model as he claimed two victories within the last three races earlier than the game’s summer time break, capping a run of six successive top-four finishes.

Nevertheless, the W15’s efficiency has dropped off because the summer time break, with Hamilton failing to assert a podium end within the seven races since.

Mercedes are a transparent fourth within the pecking order behind McLaren, Ferrari and Crimson Bull, whereas the Sunday’s end result at Interlagos noticed Hamilton fall to seventh within the drivers’ standings, two factors beneath team-mate George Russell.

Hamilton’s poor efficiency at Interlagos – a monitor he has produced brilliance at prior to now – was significantly shocking given Russell was in rivalry for race victory.

“We were just slow,” Hamilton instructed Sky Sports activities F1. “The automobile was actually, actually robust.

“The team could have won also today, so at least one car was behaving a lot better.”

“It’s like a plank of wood. It’s like, no suspension. It’s bouncing on the tyres everywhere and you can’t get on the power anywhere. It’s just the worst ride, I think the worst ride that we’ve definitely ever had, particularly through corners. It’s just so stiff.”

Method 1 returns after a three-week break with the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 22-24, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Get Sky Sports activities F1 to look at each race and extra stay