Lewis Hamilton admits struggle with speed before moving to Ferrari

In Qatar, Lewis Hamilton expressed concerns about his performance in the lead-up to the Qatar Grand Prix, qualifying in seventh place. He openly admitted to feeling slow and lacking speed, saying, 'I'm just slow.' His remarks came after a series of struggles throughout the year, despite Mercedes showing competitiveness. Hamilton's performance has been under scrutiny, particularly in comparison to teammate George Russell, who has out-qualified him multiple times this season. The upcoming race marks Hamilton's penultimate weekend with Mercedes before he transitions to Ferrari in 2025. His recent struggles are believed to stem from a lack of motivation as he prepares to leave Mercedes, a team he has been associated with for numerous years. Max Verstappen publicly supported Hamilton, stating he believes Hamilton will regain his racing prowess once he joins Ferrari. Verstappen acknowledged Hamilton's storied career and achievements, suggesting that success will depend largely on the performance of the car he races. The discussion also touched on the speculation earlier about Hamilton potentially testing a Ferrari car during the Abu Dhabi post-season testing, which was halted by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff due to contractual obligations. Hamilton indicated that he had mixed feelings about the test, emphasizing the commitments he had to fulfill with Mercedes. Overall, the article sheds light on Hamilton's current struggles, future plans, and the factors influencing his performance and motivation in the final races with Mercedes.