Karun Chandhok spotted something ‘awful’ on Lewis Hamilton’s onboard camera during Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Follow us on Google Discover

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton only appeared to enjoy one aspect of the most recent Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Unfortunately for Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, it was when the seven-time world champion got to drive Ayrton Senna’s iconic McLaren ahead of Sunday’s race.

Otherwise, Lewis Hamilton’s weekend at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix was as miserable as the weather.

Hamilton’s qualifying results haven’t been good enough this season and in conditions that he was once notorious for thriving in, he failed to reach Q3 on both occasions.

The 39-year-old couldn’t make any progress during the Sprint Race and managed to cling onto a point ahead of Sergio Perez during the Grand Prix.

Mercedes and Hamilton will part ways after more than a decade after the season finale in Abu Dhabi which will be an emotional affair.

They’ve been one of the most successful partnerships in Formula 1 history, however, their relationship isn’t going to end on the high that both parties would have liked.

Karun Chandhok was speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast about Hamilton’s race in Brazil and noticed something concerning on his onboard camera.

Conditions were extremely tricky and Oliver Bearman was terrified in his Haas after being parachuted into the car at the last minute following Kevin Magnussen’s illness.

Franco Colapinto had a big crash that brought out a decisive red flag, while Lance Stroll failed to complete the formation lap after a bizarre spin at turn four.

But while Hamilton was able to manage the pouring rain and wet track, his car wasn’t making things easy.

Karun Chandhok noticed something ‘awful’ on Lewis Hamilton’s Brazilian Grand Prix onboard camera

Talking about Hamilton’s recent form and his struggles at Interlagos, Chandhok said: “I don’t know about you, Bernie [Collins], but Lewis just sounded dejected and disappointed.

“It sounded like if it was up to him on Sunday, he would just come, driven that demo in Senna’s car and go back to the airport.

“And honestly, watching the onboards, it looked awful.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

“He just had no grip in qualifying. He had no grip, no confidence to do anything in the race.

“The team radio comes, I mean, he just sounded pretty depressed really on the Sunday and I’m not sure I blame him.”

Lewis Hamilton reacts to Valtteri Bottas’s Sauber exit

While Hamilton has secured at least another season on the grid at Ferrari from next year, a changing of the guard is happening in Formula 1 right now.

At least four rookies will be on the grid in 2025 after Gabriel Bortoleto was signed by Sauber.

It means Valtteri Bottas won’t have a race seat for the first time since 2012.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes AMG F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Hamilton has reacted to Bottas’s Sauber exit and his next step means he may just miss crossing paths with Hamilton again.

Bottas has been tipped to become a Mercedes reserve driver next year, meaning he’ll be on hand to back up George Russell and another rookie Kimi Antonelli.

Hamilton will wish him all the best as he watches another of his long-term rivals leave the grid, leaving him and Fernando Alonso looking around at a new generation of F1 drivers.