Lewis Hamilton has offered ‘a million dollars’ to whoever can explain Mercedes woes after he finished 10th at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 39-year-old endured a wretched weekend as Max Verstappen won the big event to close in on another F1 title.
Hamilton was downbeat in the aftermath of the race and sparked alarm over his immediate future by hinting he could leave Mercedes early.
The veteran agreed to join Ferrari in 2025 earlier in the year but, on Sunday, set tongues wagging by saying: “If this is the last time that I get to perform, it’s a shame it wasn’t great, but grateful for you.”
Lewis Hamilton has offered ‘a million dollars’ to whoever can explain Mercedes woes after he finished 10th at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday
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Hamilton made those comments on the team radio.
The Briton was at a loss to explain Mercedes’ performance issues after a race where nine drivers finished ahead of him.
And when asked if he could offer clarity on their woes, Hamilton then revealed he would happily reward someone with ‘a million dollars’ if they were able to put their finger on it.
“You tell me,” he told a reporter, per GP Fans. “That’s the million-dollar question.
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“If you can find it [the problem], I’ll give you a million dollars.”
Hamilton, throughout most of his career, has competed for Formula One glory.
But he has been a shadow of his usual self ever since missing out on the F1 Drivers’ Championship to Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances back in 2021.
When quizzed further about his car, Hamilton implied that he was struggling with fatigue.
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The Stevenage-born racer said he’d love to take a holiday, adding: “It’s [the car is] like a plank of wood. It’s like, no suspension.
“It’s bouncing on the tyres everywhere and you can’t get on the power anywhere.
“It’s just the worst ride, I think the worst ride that we’ve definitely ever had, particularly through corners. It’s just so stiff.
“But hopefully we won’t have any more bumpy tracks. I think the last three aren’t so bumpy.
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Lewis Hamilton finished 10th at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday
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“But yeah, I could happily go and take a holiday.”
Verstappen, who won the race, reacted by saying: : “Starting in P17, I knew it would be a very tough race.
“We stayed out of trouble, made the right calls, we stayed calm, and we were flying. All of these things together.
“I mean unbelievable. To win here from so far back on the grid…yeah.”
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he would ‘like a holiday’ after toiling during Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix
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Hamilton and Verstappen are set to compete at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 24 (6am).
The duo are then expected to take part in the final two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi on December 1 and December 8 respectively.