Hamilton Considered Retirement After Brazil Grand Prix Struggles

Lewis Hamilton, currently positioned seventh in the 2024 drivers’ championship and two points behind his Mercedes team-mate George Russell, has affirmed his commitment to “give it absolutely everything” during his final three races with Mercedes, despite having contemplated stepping away after a challenging performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion concluded the grand prix in 10th place and the sprint race in 11th position at Interlagos three weeks ago. Following the main race, he characterized the event as “a disaster of a weekend” over team radio, adding: “If this is the last time I get to perform it was a shame it wasn’t great but [I am] grateful for you.” The 39-year-old British driver is slated to join Ferrari next season, marking the end of a 12-year period with Mercedes during which he secured six of his seven drivers’ championships. When questioned about the radio message from Sao Paulo ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hamilton stated: “In the moment, that’s how I felt. I didn’t really want to come back after that weekend but that’s only natural.” After narrowly losing the 2021 drivers’ title to Max Verstappen on the season’s final lap, Hamilton did not achieve any race victories in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, as Mercedes encountered difficulties adapting to new regulations. The team appeared to overcome these challenges by winning three of four races midway through the current season, with Hamilton securing victories in the British and Belgian Grands Prix. However, both he and team-mate George Russell were involved in multiple accidents during the US Grand Prix last month, and Hamilton expressed dissatisfaction with his car’s handling in Brazil. Referring to his difficulties in Sao Paulo, Hamilton remarked: “In the heat of the moment, for sure I’d much rather be on the beach and chilling and ‘I don’t need to do this’.” He further commented: “It wasn’t a great feeling in that moment but I’m here, I’m standing strong and I’m going to give it absolutely everything for these last few races.” He continued, “Nothing can take me down. I’ve got a team that I genuinely still love and even though I’m leaving, I want to give them the best that I can in these next races. “If they provide a car that wants to stay on track, then hopefully we’ll have a better result.””