Lewis Hamilton remains ‘unhappy’ with a key decision made by Mercedes principal Toto Wolff amid another difficult season for the British star, according to reports.
Any hopes of a fairytale final season between Hamilton and the Mercedes F1 team, before the seven-time world champion departs for rivals Ferrari next year, already look over as the team’s car continues to struggle.
The Silver Arrows are yet to win a Grand Prix this season, with Hamilton frustrated by his car’s lack of competitive pace, and remains frustrated with the team’s decision to replace his former team-mate Valtteri Bottas, as per GB News.
Hamilton was supported by Bottas during his career best stint of world title runs between 2017 and 2021 before Wolff decided to promote a young George Russell into his seat at the championship-winning Formula One garage.
Russell has been more of a threat to Hamilton’s position as the team’s star driver than his predecessor, Bottas, who is now driving for Stake F1 team.
Lewis Hamilton reportedly remains unhappy with a key decision made by Mercedes principal Toto Wolff
Hamilton’s final season at Mercedes has been disappointing amidst continued struggles with his car’s performance
Hamilton is believed to be ‘unhappy’ with the decision made by Mercedes to make George Russell (left) his team-mate
Russell has finished above his team-mate in all but one of the six GP’s so far with Hamilton looking set to bow out his Mercedes career with no chance of sealing a record-breaking eight world championship crown.
‘To me, it’s still an unanswered question why he signed George to replace Valtteri because Valtteri was a very good team-mate to Lewis,’ said Formula One insider Peter Windsor on his YouTube channel.
Valterri Bottas (pictured) previously partnered Hamilton at Mercedes before being replaced by Russell
Hamilton is set to join Mercedes’ rivals Ferrari at the end of the season in a shock move
‘Lewis has never really been happy with George as we’ve said from day one, because basically George is quicker,’ he added.
Hamilton will wave goodbye to Mercedes following 11-years at the German team bossed by Wolff following the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi after deciding to join Ferrari on a two-year contract.
His decision to make the shock move to the Italian side will see him partnered with French driver Charles Leclerc who similarly to Russell also has his own ambitions of becoming a world champion.
Hamilton expects the move to give him a better chance of winning another world title than what Mercedes can that would see him overtake Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher to become the sport’s record-holder for the most championship crowns.