How Mercedes privately feel about Lewis Hamilton’s ‘last time’ radio message at Sao Paulo Grand Prix

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Lewis Hamilton endured one of the poorest weekends of his entire F1 career at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last weekend. He’s built as a reputation as one of the sport’s best wet-weather drivers, but he couldn’t escape the midfield this time.

Hamilton said he was in pain at the end of practice as a poorly resurfaced track unsettled the drivers. To compound matters, he was once again struggling to tame his recalcitrant Mercedes.

The seven-time world champion suffered an SQ2 exit in Sprint qualifying, and then held 11th place in the race itself. It seemed as if the rain would be a blessing given that it generally allows driver talent to come to the fore.

Indeed, one of Hamilton’s finest moments in 2024 came at the Chinese GP when he qualified on the front row for the Sprint after a downpour. But here the slippery conditions only exacerbated his lack of confidence behind the wheel.

Hamilton went out in Q1, somehow regressing from his Friday performance. Starting 14th, he managed to climb to 10th but no further, limiting him to one point.

Since the summer break, the 39-year-old has scored just 40 points, an average of less than six per weekend. Mercedes teammate George Russell, who competed for victory in Sao Paulo, has now overtaken him in the championship.

Mercedes were ‘caught off guard’ by Lewis Hamilton’s Brazilian Grand Prix radio

Speaking on the radio after the chequered flag, Hamilton raised eyebrows: “If this is the last time that I get to perform, it’s a shame it wasn’t great, but grateful for you,” he said.

Some wondered if he was hinting at an early exit from the Mercedes team. He’s already committed to joining Ferrari, and perhaps his season had become so miserable that he wanted to leave prematurely.

According to Speedcafe, Mercedes were ‘caught off guard’ by his remarks. However, Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater says there’s little panic inside Brackley.

“I’ve been in touch with a senior figure at Mercedes, who has told me that they are very clear that, as far as they’re concerned, Lewis Hamilton will be completing the season with the team,” he said. “They pointed out to me that, in some interviews, he talked about the kind of car he hoped Mercedes would give him in these last three races.”

Mercedes have already announced that academy driver Kimi Antonelli will succeed Hamilton next year. Antonelli has taken part in two FP1 sessions this year, while driving the 2021 and 2022 cars behind the scenes, and is likely to make his next appearance at the Abu Dhabi test.

Peter Windsor explains how Mercedes have ‘destroyed’ Lewis Hamilton

Former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley says Hamilton has the same problem as Daniel Ricciardo encountered before losing his F1 seat. Priestley thinks the current generation of cars just doesn’t suit his driving style.

If that’s the case, then he could also struggle alongside Charles Leclerc at Ferrari next year. Leclerc is especially rapid in qualifying, where Hamilton is currently on the end of a 16-5 deficit against Russell.

Peter Windsor says Mercedes have ‘destroyed’ Hamilton’s ‘natural talent’ after what he saw at Interlagos. He’s ‘spent so long in a bad car’ that he didn’t have the ‘feel’ he needed to excel in the same vain as Max Verstappen.

Mercedes won’t bring any more upgrades to the last three races as they strive to meet the cost cap. Hamilton may now have given up in his efforts to make a breakthrough with the W15.