Hamilton issues DEVASTATING career verdict ahead of Ferrari......

Hamilton issues DEVASTATING career verdict ahead of Ferrari……read more

Lewis Hamilton has made a heartbreaking admission about his performance during the 2024 Formula 1 season, just as he prepares to leave Mercedes and make a dramatic move to Ferrari. The seven-time world champion has struggled to find his pace in a difficult season, plagued by issues with the Mercedes W15 car. Despite his legacy as the most successful driver in F1 history, Hamilton has faced challenges in keeping up with his teammate, George Russell, often finding himself outqualified and lacking the speed necessary to compete at the highest level.

Though Hamilton has managed to secure two race victories this season, which further solidify his record-breaking career, he has described 2024 as his worst year in F1. His struggles have been a stark contrast to the dominance he has displayed throughout much of his career. The Briton’s downbeat attitude has been noticeable, with Hamilton himself admitting that this season has been incredibly challenging. He has repeatedly voiced his frustration over the performance of his car and his overall lack of competitiveness compared to his peers.

At the Qatar Grand Prix, just one race before his departure from Mercedes, Hamilton’s disappointment was evident. After a sprint qualifying session where he finished four-tenths of a second behind his teammate, Russell, he gave a rather somber assessment of his performance. Hamilton expressed his belief that he was simply “slow,” an admission that was difficult for many to hear given his long and illustrious career. Speaking to F1TV after the session, he stated, “Same as every other quali, not that great. I’m just slow. Same every weekend. So… yeah, the car felt relatively decent, no issues, not really much more to say.”

Despite this, Hamilton tried to maintain a positive outlook for the long race ahead, acknowledging that the car felt better during the longer runs, but his struggles in qualifying had made it nearly impossible to compete for wins. “The long run didn’t feel too bad, but when you’re always back where I am, it makes it almost impossible pretty much to be competing for wins from there,” Hamilton remarked. Even so, he made it clear that he would continue to give his best effort, adding, “But that’s the sprint, I’ll do what I can tomorrow. Who knows. I’m definitely not fast anymore.”

Hamilton’s words were a stark contrast to the confident and competitive spirit that has defined much of his career. The 39-year-old, who has dominated the sport for over a decade, is now facing a reality where his ability to perform at the highest level has been questioned. His comments reflect the tough reality of a season that has not gone according to plan, even though he has shown flashes of brilliance, such as his victories in Australia and Spain.

This difficult season has led Hamilton to consider his future in the sport and his role at Mercedes. Earlier in the season, after a disappointing Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton admitted that he felt exhausted and even wished to take an early break from the sport. At that point, he suggested that he was no longer able to find the motivation and energy required to keep up with the demands of Formula 1, making him seriously contemplate ending his time at Mercedes earlier than planned.

Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes after the 2024 season marks the end of an era for both him and the team. He has been with Mercedes for 12 seasons, enjoying an extraordinary period of success and becoming the face of the team. His move to Ferrari in 2025 is seen by many as a last-ditch attempt to secure an eighth world title, a feat that would cement his legacy as the greatest driver in the history of the sport. While Hamilton has been clear about his desire to challenge for that elusive eighth championship, his recent struggles and doubts about his speed cast a shadow over his future prospects.

As Hamilton prepares for his final race with Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, many questions remain about his ability to rediscover his former brilliance. His departure from Mercedes and move to Ferrari will mark a new chapter in his career, and fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if he can once again reach the level of performance that made him a seven-time world champion. For now, though, Hamilton’s admission of being “not fast anymore” serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges that even the greatest of all time must face.