Lewis Hamilton has admitted he wanted to quit Mercedes after a dire showing at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The F1 great, 39, suffered a disappointing race at Interlagos, finishing 10th, and openly expressed his frustration over the team radio: « That was a disaster of a weekend, guys.
« 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 this is the last time I get to perform it was a shame it wasn’t great but (I am) grateful for you. »
Ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, when asked about his comments, Hamilton confessed: « In the moment that’s how I felt, like I didn’t really want to come back after that weekend.
« In the heat of the moment, for sure, I would much rather be on the beach and chilling and I don’t need to do this. But I’m here, I love this job, and I’m going to give it my all in these last few races and finish strong. That was always the plan. »
Despite trailing 50 seconds behind Max Verstappen, who clinched victory while beginning behind him, and 27 seconds from team-mate George Russell in Brazil, Hamilton insists he will strive to conclude his 12-year tenure with Mercedes on a high note before his upcoming move to Ferrari.
Having broken a lengthy winless stretch with a triumph at the British Grand Prix in July, he currently sits seventh in the championship standings, 203 points adrift of leader Verstappen, and trails just behind Russell by a slender two points.
Hamilton added to Sky Sports after his Sao Paolo struggles: « Honestly, I feel in the best place I’ve been all year mentally, and considering how bad the last race was, I think that says enough.
« I’ve been around this game for a long time. There’s been so many things that are said about me. There’s been so many micro-aggressions – obviously not from my boss (Toto Wolff) because he’s been supportive over all these years and we’ve achieved a lot together – but I mean in general, within the media and through it all, and nothing can take me down.
« I’m still here, still fighting and I’m going to continue to push. I’ve got a team that I genuinely still love, and even though I am leaving, I want to make sure I give them the best I can in these next races. If they provide a car that wants to stay on track then hopefully we’ll have a better result. »
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