23 February 2024 , 08:32
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A frustrated Lewis Hamilton admits that he "can't remember winning" after years of disappointment with Mercedes.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, who'll leave the Brackley-based team at the end of this season to join rivals Ferrari, hasn't won a race since 2021 and prior to his controversial title loss to Max Verstappen. Hamilton, 39, believes that he and his team have made multiple "wrong decisions," something which he wants to put right during the new campaign which starts next Sunday.
During the sixth season of Netflix's Drive to Survive, Hamilton can be heard bemoaning their failings in recent years. "I can't really remember winning, to be honest. It's been a minute, so I don't really remember what that feeling is," the former McLaren driver admitted.
"But it is what it is. You just have to take it on the chin and just acknowledge that we did not get it right, we took the wrong decisions and start really making big strides in the right direction before it's too late."
It seems as if Hamilton already believes it's too late, though, losing faith in the Mercedes project and opting to join Ferrari in 2025. That's despite signing a new contract with the Silver Arrows last August.
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Another scene from Drive to Survive sees team principal Toto Wolff attempting to convince Hamilton to stay with Mercedes for the rest of his driving career and beyond. "For me, personally, when you see the step that Aston Martin made over the winter, show that if we get it right with the concept of the car, the aero and the balance, we can win a championship," Wolff argued.
"But I don't want to wait until 2026 when we have the new engine regulations." Hamilton replied: "Frick, me neither. You can be here for like 20 more years, 30 more years, I can't."
Your turn! Will Lewis Hamilton win his eighth world championship in 2024? Join the debate in the comments section.
Lewis Hamilton has been left frustrated with Mercedes' performance (Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)Wolff responded by asking: "Well, who says that? Then, rather forebodingly, Hamilton confessed: "These are precious years for me. I don't know."
In an effort to ease Hamilton's concerns, Wolff claimed: "Lewis, you're much more than a racing driver, much more than the seven-time world champion. You are one of the people that lead this team forward."
However, the climax of the 2024 season will mark the end of Hamilton's 11-year stint with Mercedes, which he wants to "finish on a high." Speaking during testing Bahrain this week, the 39-year-old declared: "To finish on a high with the team would be a dream. We have gone through a whole heap together. It would be the greatest moment to be able to help them get back to the top."