“Lewis Hamilton Slams Mercedes After Disastrous Brazilian GP, Sparks Speculation of Early Exit”
“Lewis Hamilton Slams Mercedes After Disastrous Brazilian GP, Sparks Speculation of Early Exit”
Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula One world champion, has publicly criticized the performance of his Mercedes car after a dismal showing at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Hamilton, who finished in a disappointing 10th place, described the car as “unacceptable” and said it was at its “worst” this season. His frustrations boiled over during what was already a difficult weekend at the Interlagos circuit, marking the 16th anniversary of his first world title, which he had won in Brazil.
Hamilton’s poor performance over the weekend included finishing 11th in the F1 Sprint and a lackluster 16th in qualifying. Starting the main race from 14th place, his struggles continued, culminating in his worst finish of the season so far. The 39-year-old Briton’s frustrations with Mercedes, with whom he has formed one of the most successful driver-team partnerships in F1 history, were clear in a post-race radio message to his engineers. An audio clip circulating after the race captured Hamilton hinting that the Brazilian GP could be his last race for Mercedes, fueling speculation about his future with the team.
This revelation comes after Hamilton announced earlier in February that he would be racing for Ferrari next season. However, his comments during the race’s cool-down lap have sparked rumors that his departure from Mercedes could happen sooner than anticipated, possibly before the end of the current season. There is growing speculation that Hamilton might not complete the final three races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
While some suggest Hamilton’s cryptic message may indicate his desire to leave the team before the season concludes, others believe that his remarks could be referring to a change in his pit crew rather than a complete withdrawal from the remaining races. Mercedes, however, appeared to be caught off-guard by Hamilton’s comments, with team insiders expressing confusion over any potential suggestion that the star driver was planning to step down prematurely. According to a report by The Telegraph, the team insists that there are no plans for Hamilton to quit before the season ends.
This weekend was particularly disappointing for Hamilton, who has been with Mercedes since 2013. During their time together, Hamilton and the Brackley-based team have dominated the sport, winning multiple world championships and establishing a record-breaking partnership. However, recent seasons have been marked by increasing frustration for the Briton, with Mercedes struggling to keep up with the pace set by rival teams, particularly Red Bull.
After his disappointing performance in Brazil, Hamilton did not hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction with the car’s development. He described the W15, Mercedes’ current model, as a significant underperformer, highlighting a steep decline in performance compared to earlier in the season. The team has been working to address the car’s issues, but their efforts have clearly not met Hamilton’s expectations, leading to increased tension within the camp.
With the F1 season nearing its conclusion and just three races remaining, attention now turns to what Hamilton’s next move will be. The upcoming race in Las Vegas is the first of the final triple-header, and fans are waiting to see if Hamilton will indeed race in the US or if his cryptic comments signal an earlier-than-expected exit from Mercedes. For now, Mercedes has made it clear that they expect Hamilton to compete in the remaining races, but the uncertainty surrounding his future looms large over the team and the sport as a whole.
The possibility of Hamilton switching to Ferrari next season adds an extra layer of intrigue to the situation, with many wondering how his departure could reshape the landscape of Formula One in 2024.
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