Lewis Hamilton is set to compete in his final race with Mercedes before making his long-awaited transition to Ferrari, marking the end of an iconic chapter in his career.
Mercedes, unfortunately, has not been able to provide Hamilton with the triumphant farewell he deserves this season. While his unforgettable victory at Silverstone stands out as a high point, it seems destined to be his last time atop the podium in Mercedes colors. This poignant win at Spa was marred by the fact that it came only after George Russell’s disqualification, casting a shadow over an otherwise historic moment.
The last few seasons have been challenging for Hamilton and the Silver Arrows. Despite always holding aspirations to race for Ferrari, it’s hard to imagine him leaving Mercedes if he were still consistently winning races and battling for championships. His recent performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix showcased his resilience and skill, delivering an impressive recovery drive. However, his ongoing struggles in qualifying have been a recurring issue, likely costing him another shot at victory.
Hamilton’s experience at the Qatar Grand Prix was another low point. During Channel 4’s coverage of the race, Alice Powell reflected on his forthcoming move to Ferrari and offered insights into his current form.
Alice Powell suggests Ferrari might have concerns about Lewis Hamilton’s mindset
In Qatar, Hamilton managed just three points from the Sprint Race and qualified sixth for the Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Russell clinched pole position, albeit amidst controversy, before relinquishing the lead to Max Verstappen at the start of the race. Powell was asked about Hamilton’s current state of mind and the fact that Russell has consistently outperformed him in qualifying. She noted Hamilton’s apparent frustration and suggested it could be a concern for his new team at Maranello: “He’s a bit hormonal I think!” – she stated.
“He just wants this season to end by the sounds of it. [It’s been] very mixed this weekend, he’s been outqualified a lot by his teammate and that’s a hard place to be in. Confidence drops massively, but Lewis is a seven-time world champion, he’s had peaks, he’s had real lows. This is a real low and it’s not a good look with Ferrari looking across at Lewis going, oh, please don’t bring that attitude over here, please!”
Lewis Hamilton endured a disastrous outing at the Qatar Grand Prix, where his race spiraled downward from the very beginning. Even before the lights went out, trouble was already looming for the 39-year-old.
Lining up on the third row of the grid, Hamilton’s attempt to avoid a penalty after a false start led to a hesitant pause, costing him several positions on the opening lap. This early misstep set the tone for what would turn into an error-strewn race.
His hopes of salvaging points were dashed entirely when he was penalized for speeding in the pit lane during a safety car period. The safety car had been deployed to guide the pack through the pit lane, avoiding debris scattered on the main straight after Alex Albon’s mirror was shattered in a collision with Valtteri Bottas. Lewis Hamilton’s lapse in focus nearly resulted in a collision with Lando Norris, as he slammed on the brakes at the last moment in a frantic bid to avoid further penalties.
With the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on the horizon, emotions are running high as it marks the conclusion of Formula 1’s most successful driver-team partnership. Fans across the globe are hoping for one last great performance from Hamilton and Mercedes, longing to see them part ways with a flourish rather than a disappointing fizzle.
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