Lewis Hamilton has made a telling remark about his anticipation for Christmas, reflecting on what seems to be the closing chapter of his journey with Mercedes. Earlier this year, Hamilton informed team principal Toto Wolff of his decision to end his long-standing association with the Silver Arrows to join Ferrari in 2025.
Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013 from McLaren and expressed a desire to conclude his Mercedes era on a high note. True to his word, he clinched victory at the British Grand Prix in July and triumphed again at Spa-Francorchamps that same month. However, his recent performances have seen a dip, with a fourth-place finish in Mexico overshadowed by a retirement in Austin and a tenth-place in São Paulo. The challenging conditions on the resurfaced, bumpy tracks have certainly tested the resilience of his Mercedes.
At 39, Hamilton is keen for the current season to conclude as he gears up for a fresh start with Ferrari next year.
Hamilton’s Reflections on Recent Races
When asked by Autosport about recent disappointments, Hamilton shared his approach to coping: “I just put my focus on something else. I’m not fighting for the championship. It doesn’t matter, really, where we finish in the championship. I don’t care if I finish ahead of [team-mate] George [Russell] or behind George. It doesn’t make no difference to me. I just want to keep the car out of the wall and try to score points if I can for the team, if I can finish, whatever.”
Highlighting the mechanical challenges, he wished for a more stable car: “If they give me a car that doesn’t bounce off the track in the next few races, then hopefully we can get a better result. But yeah, looking forward to Christmas.”
Bouncing Issues and Accountability
Hamilton acknowledged the persistent bouncing issues that caused him significant discomfort in Brazil. When asked about the source of these problems, he noted both the low ride height of his car and the bumpy track surfaces as culprits: “Both, but I think mostly because the car, just something that’s not right. Qualifying was bad. Sprint race was bad. The car’s just been bad all weekend.”
Despite recent setbacks, Hamilton remains committed to pushing forward: “Obviously, it’s devastating to have these bad races in the second half of the season – but all I can say is, we’re trying. We’re coming into the weekends, but it’s definitely not acceptable. It’s definitely not good enough and we have to take accountability. I have to take accountability, but I am doing the best with what I’ve got.”
Reflecting on the erratic performance of his Mercedes, Hamilton humorously pondered on the underlying issues: “The car has been the worst this weekend and I don’t know what it is. We’re going to have to find out what it is.” In jest, he added, “You tell me. That’s the million dollar question. If you can find it, I’ll give you a million dollars!”
Looking Ahead to Ferrari
Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari is one of the most talked-about transitions in recent F1 history. His decade-long tenure at Mercedes has been decorated with numerous accolades, but the allure of new challenges with the Prancing Horse seems to energise him. As the season winds down, fans and analysts alike are keenly watching to see how Hamilton’s final races with Mercedes unfold.
The next phase of his career promises fresh challenges and opportunities. With Ferrari, a team steeped in tradition and expectation, Hamilton’s move represents a new chapter and perhaps a new peak. As this season wraps up, one can’t help but wonder how Hamilton will fare with Ferrari in the coming seasons.
