‘Exit mode’ is pretty common and natural in racing. While we can question Lewis Hamilton’s commitment to Mercedes, the fact of the matter is that commitment towards the future is for both parties involved: Hamilton, understandably, is invested in Ferrari, and Mercedes, in his replacement and the next car.
Hamilton has time and again complained and raised issues about the W15 this year. While the Briton also raised similar concerns about the W13 and W14 in 2022 and 2023 respectively, there at least seemed an effort on his part to help the team address these issues and get the car back to a good working window.
However, with only three races remaining in the 2024 season before Hamilton jumps ship to Ferrari, the 39-year-old seems to have given up. “We have done everything,” he said in an interview during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend to explain how Mercedes has failed to get on top of the W15’s issues despite trying “everything“.
Mercedes fans were a little concerned when after a disappointing Sao Paolo GP weekend, in which Hamilton only managed to finish 10th in the main race, the Brit said, “If this is the last time I get to perform, it’s a shame that it wasn’t great, but grateful for you,”.
Few perceived the 39-year-old’s remarks to be a hint that he was even considering not finishing the 2024 campaign with Mercedes. But Sky Sports’ Craig Slater brushed that comment aside and said that Hamilton will complete the season with Mercedes.
While it does seem like Hamilton has already moved on, its only a natural progression of life in racing. Mercedes wants to keep things close to its chest when it comes to development of their car for next season. And Hamilton is already in Ferrari mode. But the 7 time world champion is sure to see things out with Mercedes in the most professional way possible: an ode to all to the good times he had with Wolff and co.
