JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Lewis Hamilton has reiterated that he has no plans to depart Mercedes or give up Components One on account of his latest on-track struggles.
After eight consecutive seasons on the very entrance of the grid, Mercedes dropped off the tempo final 12 months and seems to have slid additional down the order this season.
Forward of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, staff boss Toto Wolff stated he wouldn’t maintain a grudge if Hamilton walked away from the staff in a few years on account of ongoing poor performances.
Hamilton’s present contract involves an finish this 12 months, however he performed down Wolff’s suggestion that he may stroll away from the staff if it fails to enhance.
“I am not focussed on that, I really like this staff, I am so grateful for everybody who has been on this journey with me on this staff,” Hamilton stated. “I do not envisage being wherever else, I do not see myself quitting.
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“I have been there, carried out that, purchased the t-shirt. I am attempting to be affected person and work with the staff to get us to place. That is all I can say actually.”
Hypothesis round Hamilton’s future comes on the identical weekend that he and his efficiency coach Angela Cullen introduced that they had parted methods.
Requested in regards to the causes for the break up, the seven-time world champion stated it was not all the way down to a falling out.
“Angela and I are good,” he added. “She’s in a distinct section of her life, we’re nonetheless tremendous shut.
“We hold texting every single day, massively supportive and I am massively supportive of her — so grateful to have had her with me on this journey.
“She’s one among my closest pals and continues to be.”
Hamilton will begin Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from seventh on the grid, 4 locations behind teammate George Russell, after saying he didn’t have faith within the automobile throughout qualifying.
“The automobile is the place it’s, George did an important job, he is proper up there on the second row, so the automobile is clearly working, I simply do not feel linked to this automobile,” he stated. “It doesn’t matter what I do, it doesn’t matter what I modify I am unable to get the arrogance again.”
