Wolff: Hamilton Can't Drive W15 as Updates Fail to Suit

Lewis Hamilton admits struggles with the W15, revealing frustration and rare melancholy as Mercedes updates fail to match his style.

Lewis Hamilton carries a rare sense of melancholy that has been scarcely seen since the start of his career. The Mercedes F1 driver stated on Friday that he is simply “not faster” and appears to have no real expectations for the current season, though he maintains a broader positive outlook on his situation.

“I have no idea,” Hamilton said. “It hasn’t been great. At this point, I don’t really care. I just want to get through these next two races, do my job, show up, and then I’m looking forward to the winter break.”

“I woke up this morning, and the most important thing is to live with gratitude. I’m very grateful to be able to do what I love, even if there are days I don’t love it as much.”

“I’m really fortunate to be here among all these incredible athletes. I know it’s painful when things don’t go well; nobody likes losing, but it’s part of the journey.”

Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, rejects the notion that the seven-time world champion has lost his speed, instead pointing out that the W15 no longer suits Hamilton as the team focuses on developing it with next season in mind, when the Briton will no longer be part of the picture.

“He simply doesn’t like this car,” said the Austrian. “In a competitive car, Lewis can achieve incredible things, but the car’s development has taken a direction that doesn’t suit him.”

“You can see he’s trying to extract more from it, but it’s not how he naturally wants to drive. He wants to be able to steer and brake sharply, and that’s just not possible right now.”

Helmut Marko expressed surprise at the unpredictability of this season, as the hierarchy shifted dramatically over the weekend: “This Formula 1 has become incomprehensible. In the sprint, Max [Verstappen] is in an undrivable car and even overtaken by Hulkenberg. Three hours later, he’s on pole position.”

Verstappen, meanwhile, admitted he is fed up with the season despite clinching the title last week, explaining why: “I’m happy it’s almost over. I’m not really tired, but it’s more about living in the dark all the time lately.”

“It was the same last week in Las Vegas, and it’s the same for Abu Dhabi. I wouldn’t call it depressing, but we all need a bit of sunlight. I’m not a bat.”