Lewis Hamilton isn’t bringing him iconic time with Mercedes in Formula 1 to an end in the way that either party would have planned.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be an emotional affair for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes after winning 14 championships together over the past 12 seasons.
Hamilton’s domination of Formula 1 during the 2010 has made him the driver with the most wins and pole positions in the sport’s history.
While the debate will continue over whether he’s F1’s greatest-ever driver, it’s easy to make a case for the 39-year-old.
Unfortunately, the last three years of Hamilton’s time at Mercedes has been underpinned by a car that’s becoming increasingly difficult to drive.
His teammate George Russell has had the advantage over Hamilton in qualifying throughout the season and 24 points separates the two Mercedes drivers in the championship with the seven-time world champion needing to have a nearly perfect weekend in Abu Dhabi to have the chance to beat his fellow Brit.
The Qatar Grand Prix was another example of Hamilton struggling with issues throughout the race.
Russell got the better of him in both qualifying sessions and Hamilton was complaining during the race about his pace.
David Coulthard was covering the race for Channel 4 and admitted that the 39-year-old made one mistake that was really concerning.
David Coulthard says Lewis Hamilton pit limiter gaff was ‘more worrying’ than his false start
The race started badly for Hamilton as he was penalised for a false start that cost him five seconds at his first pit stop.
Alex Albon’s smashed mirror on the main straight later in the race meant the drivers were led through the pit lane by the safety car to avoid the debris.
Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration meant Hamilton was caught speeding in the pit lane and forced Lando Norris to lock his tyres as he broke heavily in front of him.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Talking about the incidents, Coulthard said: “The jump start, it can happen.
“Not putting the pit limiter on, if that’s what he actually did, I think that’s more worrying for me because that’s almost like something that you naturally do when you go through the pit lane.
“He was already mentally in a bad place, reaching out to his engineer, confused with how slow he was, generally not in a happy place at all.
“He’s just done, isn’t he? Let’s hope he’s not done for good!
“He’s just done with this year, this car, and it’s painful to observe and to comment on.”
Ferrari move can’t come soon enough for Lewis Hamilton after this season
Hamilton’s farewell after Sunday’s race is likely to be emotional for everyone involved, but he’s not done with Formula 1 just yet.
What will likely be his final move in the paddock as he approaches his 40th birthday sees him finally join forces with Ferrari as they chase their first Drivers’ Championship since 2007.
Alice Powell thinks Ferrari will want Hamilton’s attitude to change before he arrives in Maranello.
READ MORE: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family
He’s been particularly down on himself in recent times, especially when talking about his one-lap race.
Considering how impressive his new teammate Charles Leclerc is on Saturdays, that’s something the seven-time champion will need to work hard on.
But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a reinvigorated Hamilton racing right at the front of the pack next year if Ferrari’s car is competitive.
Leave feedback about this