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Hamilton receives HUGE Mercedes blow as end of season plans revealed

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes tenure appears to be closing with a setback, as the team has revealed a change in strategy for the final races of the 2024 season. Despite high hopes for a strong finish to his illustrious career with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion’s chances of a fairytale ending might be dampened by the team’s shift in focus. As Hamilton approaches his final three races with Mercedes before his anticipated move to Ferrari in 2025, a significant blow to his ambitions has emerged.

Hamilton’s final season with Mercedes has been far from easy. After dominating the early hybrid era of Formula 1 and winning multiple world championships with the team, this season has presented a stark contrast. While he managed two wins—at Silverstone and Spa—the performance of Mercedes’ W15 car has often left Hamilton frustrated. His competitive spirit remains unshaken, and he has consistently expressed his desire to end his Mercedes chapter on a high note. However, it seems that Mercedes’ latest plans could prevent that from happening.

According to Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, the team will no longer prioritize pushing for top results in the remaining races of the season. Instead, their focus will shift toward gathering data and learning for the development of next year’s car. This approach is likely to hinder Hamilton’s prospects of securing a podium finish or even a victory in the upcoming races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

In the aftermath of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Shovlin provided insight into the team’s decision. He acknowledged that the W15’s struggles in certain types of corners have persisted throughout the season, especially in slow, interconnected turns. These weaknesses were evident once again at the Brazilian Grand Prix, particularly in the second sector of the Interlagos circuit, which features several of those challenging corners.

“The big focus in these remaining races for us is learning what we can,” Shovlin explained during Mercedes’ post-race debrief after Brazil. “We are in a position in the championship where we cannot challenge in front of us, and it is very unlikely we are going to see any challenge from behind. Our focus has very much shifted to learning what we need this year to apply to next year in order to get on top of those issues.”

This decision likely spells trouble for Hamilton’s hopes of going out with a bang at Mercedes. With the team more focused on gathering information for their 2025 car rather than optimizing performance in the current season, the likelihood of Hamilton claiming a final podium or victory is diminishing. Despite the two wins this season, it has largely been a year of ups and downs, and this strategy shift may end it on a quieter note than Hamilton had hoped for.

Nevertheless, Hamilton has demonstrated immense loyalty to Mercedes, even as rumors swirl about his future move to Ferrari. He has remained dedicated to the team that helped him achieve some of his greatest successes in Formula 1, winning six of his seven world championships in Mercedes colors. His frustration with the W15’s limitations has been evident, but he has consistently reiterated his commitment to giving his all in the final races.

As the season draws to a close, the pressure is on for Mercedes to deliver a competitive car for 2025, when Hamilton is expected to join Ferrari. While Hamilton’s future beyond Mercedes looks exciting, his immediate challenge will be making the most of the remaining races, even if his chances for glory appear slim due to the team’s new priorities.

In summary, Mercedes’ strategic decision to shift focus to next year’s car development may have dashed Hamilton’s hopes of leaving the team on a high. As the racing world watches, Hamilton’s final races with Mercedes will likely be less about podium finishes and more about preparation for what lies

ahead in 2025.