Breaking: Lewis Hamilton says current struggles don’t define his Mercedes….read more

Lewis Hamilton says current struggles don’t define his Mercedes….read more.

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, is set to compete in his final race for Mercedes at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before making a notable switch to Ferrari next season. Despite a challenging penultimate race in Lusail, where he finished in 12th place and faced multiple penalties – one for a jump start and another for speeding in the pit lane – Hamilton remains optimistic about his journey with the team.

Reflecting on his recent struggles, Hamilton emphasized that they don’t define his overall experience with Mercedes. “Even if it finishes like this weekend, I don’t think that defines the journey we have been on,” he shared with Sky Sports F1, committed to giving his best effort in the final race. His recent qualifying performances have left much to be desired, with Hamilton failing to break into the top five in the last five races and not even placing in the top 10 on two occasions.

During the tumultuous race in Lusail, Hamilton experienced a mixture of bad luck and difficulties with his car setup. He faced a puncture and requested to retire the car after receiving his drive-through penalty, a request that Mercedes declined. Despite the challenges, Hamilton maintained a resilient attitude, stating, “Don’t judge me by how many times I fall but I’m going to get up tomorrow and give it another go.”

Looking ahead to Abu Dhabi, Hamilton expressed low expectations for a significant improvement in performance but stressed the importance of the team’s approach to the weekend. “I don’t anticipate particularly much better than we’ve had in the past weekends, but naturally I’ll try,” he mentioned. He aims to keep his hopes grounded, hoping for a pleasant surprise.

His teammate, George Russell, also faced a tough race, unable to convert his pole position into a strong finish. After being squeezed out at the first corner by Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, Russell’s early pit stop was hindered by a slow tire change, costing him valuable track position. Despite these setbacks, he managed to recover to finish fourth after others faced their own issues during the race.

As Hamilton prepares for his final outing with Mercedes, his focus remains on the positive experiences and memories created over the years, rather than letting recent difficulties overshadow his legacy with the team.