Lewis Hamilton is lying ninth in the drivers' standings. (Image: Getty)
Lewis Hamilton is enduring a torrid final year with Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton has been praised for his professionalism by Toto Wolff despite continuing to struggle in his final season with Mercedes. Hamilton is currently languishing in ninth in the drivers’ standings, and is yet to notch a podium finish this year as the Silver Arrows continue to flounder in F1’s new era of regulations.
Regardless, the 39-year-out will end his 12-year stint with the team at the conclusion of the 2024 season, having confirmed a deal to join Ferrari. But despite Hamilton often cutting a despondent figure in this campaign, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says behind the scenes the seven-time world champion remains a motivator.
“I think that Lewis is a pro and has behaved in that way until now, trying to keep his morale up and the morale of the team even if the results don’t come,” he said. “I have no doubt that this is going to last. He has also been supportive with George.”
Hamilton is currently two places, and 14 points, behind his younger team-mate. The pair currently lie fourth in the constructors’ standings, a massive 143 points behind leaders Red Bull.
Hamilton himself has insisted his focus remains on turning things around with his current team, and not his impending switch to the Scuderia. “Right now, I want to finish on a high here,” he said, ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month.
“So all my energy is going into this. Of course, there’s excitement for the future. But right now, we’re going through a difficult place. That’s my challenge. That’s where all my energy is going, to try and figure out how we can get ourselves back to the top.”
Hamilton also implied that planning ahead to 2025 would be counter-productive. He added: “I’m a competitor first and foremost, so I want to win. Just thinking about the next year isn’t going to help me do that.”
His last Grand Prix race win came back in Saudi Arabia in December 2021, during his infamous world title battle with Max Verstappen. The only victory for Mercedes since came in Brazil the following year, when Russell notched his solitary F1 truimph.
Wolff is yet to confirm Hamilton’s replacement for next season, frequently saying he won’t be rushed into a rash decision. The team’s next opportunity to turn around their form comes in Miami this weekend, a venue where Verstappen and Red Bull are again expected to dominate with the Dutchman winning there in both 2022 and 2023.
