The Sao Paulo Grand Prix turned out to be an uphill battle for Lewis Hamilton and he is looking forward to 2024 F1 season end ahead of Mercedes exit.
As the season nears its conclusion, the seven-time world champion’s frustrations have reached a boiling point, particularly following a disheartening performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix where he finished a disappointing tenth.
This race was emblematic of a broader struggle for both Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes team, marking a stark contrast to the earlier successes they experienced this season.
The Brit’s relationship with the Silver Arrows has been one of remarkable achievements over the past decade, but as he prepares to transition to Ferrari next season, the current state of affairs has left him feeling increasingly despondent.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix was particularly painful; not only did Hamilton find himself eliminated in Q1 during qualifying, but his race pace was woefully inadequate compared to his teammate George Russell, who managed to qualify second and finish fourth.
This disparity highlighted the ongoing issues with the W15 car, which Lewis Hamilton described as “undrivable” and “the worst ride” he has ever experienced in his illustrious career.
In the aftermath of the race, Hamilton did not shy away from expressing his dissatisfaction with both the car’s performance and the team’s strategy. He lamented that it felt like driving “a plank of wood” due to its stiff suspension and lack of responsiveness.
“Yesterday was terrible, today was terrible,” Lewis Hamilton told the press, including Racetrackmasters.com at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. “Yesterday was bad, qualifying was bad, the Sprint race was bad.
“The car’s just been bad all weekend. You tell me [of the car’s problems]. That’s the million-dollar question. If you can find it, I’ll give you a million dollars.”
A Season of Disappointment
These sentiments reflect a broader narrative that has plagued Mercedes throughout the 2024 F1 season—that began with high hopes but quickly devolved into frustration and disappointment as performance inconsistencies became apparent.
Despite earlier victories in Britain and Belgium, Hamilton’s subsequent races have been marred by technical difficulties and strategic missteps, leading him to declare that he could “happily take a holiday” rather than continue racing under such challenging conditions.
The struggles of the 2024 F1 season are not merely isolated incidents but rather part of a larger trend that has seen Mercedes fall from its previous dominant position in Formula 1.
Since the introduction of new regulations aimed at enhancing ground effect in 2021, Mercedes has faced significant hurdles in adapting their car to meet these demands. The adaptation process has proven difficult, leading to an inconsistent performance that has left both drivers frustrated.
As Hamilton reflects on his impending Mercedes exit after more than a decade together, there is an air of bittersweet nostalgia. His tenure with the team is marked by historic achievements—countless wins and championships that have solidified his status as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
However, as he prepares for a new chapter with Ferrari, there is an undeniable sense that this final season is not living up to either his or the team’s expectations. With just three races remaining—Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi—the urgency for improvement is palpable.
Hamilton’s current position in the Drivers’ Championship further compounds his frustrations. Currently sitting sixth overall and witnessing Mercedes languishing in fourth place in the Constructors’ standings, it is clear that both he and the team are far from where they envisioned themselves at this stage of the season.
Hamilton can’t wait to conclude 2024 F1 season
The narrative surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s performance has shifted dramatically; once a fierce competitor for championships, he now finds himself contemplating how best to salvage what remains of the challenging campaign.
In interviews following recent races, Hamilton has candidly discussed his mental state during this difficult period. He acknowledges that while he remains grateful for his time in Formula 1 and the support from fans and team members alike, he is eager for the 2024 F1 season to conclude.
His focus has shifted from competitive aspirations to simply finishing races without incident and contributing what he can to help Mercedes secure points in their remaining outings.
“I just put my focus on something else,” Hamilton added. “I’m not fighting for the championship, it doesn’t really matter where we finish in the championship.
“I don’t care if I finish ahead of George [Russell] or behind George, it doesn’t make that big of a difference to me. I just want to keep the car out the wall and try to score points if I can for the team.
“If I can finish well and they give me a car that doesn’t bounce off the track in the next few races, then hopefully we get a better result. Looking forward to Christmas.”
The Emotional Connection amid a tough weekend
Despite the challenges faced throughout the season, Lewis Hamilton found solace in an unexpected moment during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend. He had the opportunity to drive Ayrton Senna’s iconic McLaren MP4/5B from 1990 around Interlagos.
The experience was deeply emotional for the 39-year old, who has long regarded Senna as one of his heroes. The chance to pay tribute to the legend while racing at a track so closely associated with him provided Hamilton with a cherished memory amidst a turbulent season.
Hamilton’s connection to Brazil runs deep; he was granted honorary citizenship in recognition of his contributions to motorsport and his affinity with Brazilian fans. This relationship was evident during his time at Interlagos as fans turned out in droves despite adverse weather conditions to support him.
“Well the race was c***, but driving Senna’s car was the best thing ever,” he stated. “So, I’m still happy and grateful that I had that experience here in Interlagos.
“An amazing reception from the fans. They’ve been incredible this weekend. The fans turned up, I think, at 3 am this morning. So, unbelievable commitment from the fans here this weekend.
“Let’s not talk about the car, because you know the car is no good.”
As Hamilton navigates these final races with Mercedes, fans are left wondering how history will remember this tumultuous season. Will it be viewed as a disappointing end to an illustrious partnership or merely a stepping stone towards greater achievements with Ferrari? Only time will tell how this narrative unfolds.
