Mercedes had a terrible start to the 2024 season, finishing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship after six races. Lewis Hamilton has stated that Mercedes have ‘had enough’ of struggling in the midfield.
In the championship, the Silver Arrows defeated Ferrari in Abu Dhabi during the season finale; but, throughout the winter, the Scuderia, along with McLaren and Red Bull, left the Brackley-based team in the dust.
Hamilton’s worst-ever start to an F1 season is the outcome of it. The seven-time world champion is now ranked ninth in the Drivers’ Championship standings and has only finished higher than P9 twice thus far.
“It’s been tough,” he told CBS in Miami. “Of course, we exist to win and when you’re not winning, your perspective has to shift. And it’s just been about chasing and it’s about improvement. It’s about coming together.
“How can we make improvements? How can we get back to where we want to be and rallying and everyone out? I actually really enjoyed that experience. But three years in now, we’re like, okay, I’ve had enough of this, let’s get back to where we belong.”
Hamilton doesn’t intend to waste his last season as a Mercedes driver, despite the difficulties of the first six races. The iconic British driver’s 12-year association with the Silver Arrows will come to an end in 2025 when he joins Ferrari.
“I think everyone in the team, they want it to be a great year,” he explained. “Everyone’s worked so hard back at the factory, no less than ever before.
“For me, this whole journey has been massively emotional just because I have so much love for this team. I’m not leaving because I’m unhappy there. I’m not leaving because of relationship issues.”
“Mercedes supported me since I was 13 so I love the brand. I love the people. They’ve been with me through thick and thin. So it’s definitely a strange transition at the moment.”
Hamilton regrettably has little chance of capping off his last season as a Mercedes driver with a victory. Rather, the Silver Arrows will concentrate on fending off the challenge from Aston Martin, which is currently ranked fifth.