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The 39-year-old expressed his intent to perform to his best in his final three races as a driver for Mercedes, before his move to Ferrari in the upcoming campaign despite a rant over the team radio during a disappointing outing at the Brazilian GP.
Lewis Hamilton. (AP Photo)
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton clarified his love for Mercedes following a rant over the team radio at the Brazilian Grand Prix, in which the Brit finished 10th in a disappointing outing, to the effect of his thought to not come back.
The 39-year-old expressed his intent to perform to his best in his final three races as a driver for Mercedes, before his move to Ferrari in the upcoming campaign.
“In the moment, that’s how I felt, like I didn’t really want to come back after that weekend,” he explained.
“That was a disaster of a weekend, the worst the car has ever been. But, I thank them for contributing to try and great job to all the guys at the pit stop,” Hamilton divulged.
“I thought if that was the last time I get to perform, it was a shame it wasn’t great, but I am grateful.”
“In the heat of the moment, for sure, I would much rather be on the beach and chilling… And I don’t need to do this, but I’m here, I love this job and I’m going to give it my all in these last few races and finish strong,” he clarified.
“That was always the plan,” he reiterated.
He revealed that he had bounced back from the sub-standard outing.
“Honestly, I feel in the best place I’ve been all year, mentally, and considering how bad the last race was I think that says enough,” the Brit said.
“I’ve been around this game for a long time. There’s been so many things that are said about me,” he continued.
“I’m still here, still fighting and I’m going to continue to push,” the 39-year-old vowed.
“I’ve got a team that I genuinely still love and even though I’m leaving, I want to make sure I give them the best I can in these next races,” the Brit asserted.
“If they provide a car that wants to stay on track then hopefully we’ll have a better result.”
Hamilton also touched upon the call from the drivers for greater transparency over the utilisation of the fines paid by the drivers and teams.
“I know they’ve got a lot going on at the moment, but I think it just shows that more than ever the drivers are united which is perhaps not something you’ve seen in the past,” he said.
“There are some things that need addressing and the FIA needs to be better at working and collaborating with us.”