Lewis Hamilton eagerly anticipates the arrival of Christmas, symbolizing the conclusion of his final Formula 1 season with Mercedes.
Earlier in the year, Hamilton informed team principal Toto Wolff of his decision to end his contract with the Silver Arrows and move to Ferrari in 2025.
Despite this, Hamilton expressed his desire to conclude his time at Mercedes, which he joined from McLaren in 2013, on a high note.
He achieved this by clinching victories at the British Grand Prix in July and Spa-Francorchamps later that same month.
However, his performance at the Mexican Grand Prix, where he finished fourth, was contrasted by a retirement in Austin and a 10th place in Sao Paulo due to his Mercedes struggling on the newly resurfaced, rough asphalt.
Now, the 39-year-old is counting down the days until the current season ends so he can embark on a new chapter with Ferrari next year.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG
Photo by: Erik Junius
When questioned by Motorsport.com about his disappointment, Hamilton remarked: “I shift my focus elsewhere. I’m not in contention for the championship. Where we finish in the standings doesn’t matter much to me.
“I’m not concerned about finishing ahead or behind [teammate] George [Russell]. My priority is to avoid crashing and contribute points to the team wherever possible.
“If the team presents me with a car that stays on the track for the upcoming races, hopefully, we can achieve better results. But for now, I’m looking forward to the holiday season.”
In response to inquiries about the bouncing issues that caused him discomfort during the Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton attributed it to Mercedes’ low ride height and the bumpy track surface.
“While both factors played a role, I believe the car itself is the main issue. It has been performing poorly all weekend,” Hamilton explained.
“It’s disheartening to have these struggles in the latter part of the season, but we’re putting in effort. We need to improve and take responsibility for our performance,” he added.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“Our results are not up to standard, and accountability needs to be taken. I am doing my best with the resources available,” Hamilton acknowledged.
When asked about the fluctuating performance of his car, Hamilton humorously replied: “If you can figure out why my car’s performance varies from one weekend to the next, I’ll give you a million dollars!”
