Mercedes have been left ‘surprised’ by Lewis Hamilton‘s latest outburst, which seemed to suggest the star was gearing up for an early F1 exit this season despite there still being three races remaining. 

The Ferrari-bound Brit finished in a lowly 10th place at the Brazil Grand Prix at Interlagos on Sunday after a chaotic qualifying session saw him crash out in Q1 leaving him 14th on the grid.

The disappointing display followed an 11th-place finish in the sprint race and marked his lowest placing in a Grand Prix since Sao Paulo in 2022.

Hamilton’s frustrations were laid bare in a remarkable message on the team radio, with the seven-time world champion sensationally hinting at quitting the remainder of the season and hitting out at ‘worst ever’ car following a ‘disaster of a weekend’ in the Brazilian city.

What has concerned team officials was Hamilton’s suggestion that the race might be ‘the last time that I get to perform’, with The Telegraph reporting that bosses were ‘said to be surprised by the enigmatic message’.

Mercedes are also adamant that the legendary driver will complete the season amid rumours of a special send-off in the final race in the season in Abu Dhabi as he prepares to make a £50million-a-year move to Ferrari.

But Hamilton’s messaging is certainly raising doubts over a fairytale finish, with the 39-year-old also looking to the future in an interview with motorsport.com after the Grand Prix on Sunday.

‘If they give me a car that doesn’t bounce off the track in the next few races, then hopefully we can get a better result,’ he said. ‘But yeah, looking forward to Christmas.’

Hamilton’s full meltdown on the team radio in Sao Paulo proved the biggest cause for concern, however, with the Brit saying: ‘That was a disaster of a weekend guys. That is the worst the car has ever been.

‘But thank you for continuing to try. Great job from the guys at the pitstop.

‘If this is the last time that I get to perform, its a shame it wasn’t great, but grateful for you.’

While the cryptic message might not be as worrying as many first feared – with his words possibly a reference to the pit crew being switched up for the final three races in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi – a sudden exit from Mercedes would be a sad end to a glittering career with the constructor.

Hamilton joined the team in 2013, after several near misses with McLaren following his sensational title in 2008, and has been at the top of the sport since.

The Brit won six of the following seven Drivers’ Championships before coming second to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in one of the most dramatic and controversial final days in F1 history in Abu Dhabi. 

The icon is currently languishing in seventh this season, despite two race wins, and will join Ferrari next season to partner Charles Leclerc in a move announced before the 2024 campaign.

But Hamilton is not exactly arriving at the most famous of racing teams on the crest of a wave after his latest meltdown shed light on deeper problems with his performances.

Ferrari are set to splurge more than £50 million a year on the racer and the fact his disastrous Sunday came on the 16th anniversary of his memorable title-winning drive in 2008 was a reminder that he could be a spent force.

His speed is undoubtedly dwindling with teammate George Russell beating him in 16 of the 21 qualifying sessions this season.

The precarious wet conditions in Sao Paulo, which might have suited him in years gone by, seemed to weigh on his mind and the driver lacked confidence in the rain.  

The way Hamilton lost his cool on Sunday might also be an indicator of his frustration at his driving skills as he nears the end of an era, although his tantrum in Brazil was hardly the first time he has lashed out in his esteemed career.