Photo: Ferrari media.

Hamilton believed to have delivered his ‘farewell speech’ in Abu Dhabi

08:23, 12 Dec

Updated: 10:19, 12 Dec

byTobia Elia

Former FIA steward Johnny Herbert believes that Lewis Hamilton’s recent comments come across more like a farewell speech.

“I could see Lewis Hamilton’s words as a farewell speech. You've got to be honest to yourself”

- Johnny Herbert

Speaking to the media one last time at the end of the Abu Dhabi GP, the Brit said he wants to completely disconnect from the “matrix” and even plans to throw his phone in the bin during winter break.

Hamilton still made a point of thanking the team over the radio for their work during his first season as a Ferrari driver, even if the results were far from memorable.

Speaking to a betting site, the former British driver made his stance on interpreting his words perfectly clear: “I could see Lewis Hamilton’s words as a farewell speech. You've got to be honest to yourself. And if you do honestly feel that you have no idea of what you need to do to get out of the doldrums and get around the problem, then why carry on?

Photo: Race Pictures.

“He was always able to find a way, was always in the fight, always there. He had the will and the ability. Now he doesn’t. I could see him choosing to say, ‘Actually, that’s it. I've had one of the best careers of any driver in F1 and I can leave a happy chap. Maybe he has a sit down with Anthony and his mum, to discuss where he is at.”

The seven-time world champion ended the most challenging season of his career in terms of results, with zero podiums, zero wins, and zero poles to his name (excluding the sprint weekend in China), often resorting to one-word answers for journalists following disappointing outcomes.

“Some of his interviews in the pen, where he’s quite literally not answering any questions at all - Herbert added - It's just in this horrible dark place. And I find it very uncomfortable. It's a place I've never seen him in before. And it just makes it very uncomfortable. Then you see what happens on the track and then you get a double slap in the face.”

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The Brit believes that he is no longer the Lewis Hamilton who used to thrill fans and insiders with his victories, and he strongly doubts that this can be reversed given his advancing age.

“To me it's clear that he's not the Lewis Hamilton he once was. Everything seems harder, way harder, whereas it was simple. He never even had to think about it. It just happened. It’s gone. Will it come back? I’d be very surprised.”

Wolff makes revealing confession a year after divorce with Hamilton

A year on from the split that saw the seven-time world champion move to Ferrari, and with young Kimi Antonelli making his Formula 1 debut, the Mercedes team principal has opened up again about his relationship with the Brit and the reasons that ultimately led to their parting ways.

The news that Bri would become a Ferrari driver was announced as early as February last year, leaving both him and Carlos Sainz with a year to run, effectively separated under the same roof. Wolff described it as “like staying in the same household with a wife or partner that you know you will be divorcing in one year’s time.”

Here are his full comments.

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