Johnny Herbert feels Mercedes are “favouring” George Russell but believes Lewis Hamilton will see out the 2024 Formula 1 season despite a torrid weekend in Brazil.
Hamilton’s cryptic radio message after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix caused rumours that he and Mercedes would part ways before the last race of the year.
However, reports suggested the seven-time F1 champion was referring to the set of mechanics present that weekend, which won’t travel to the three remaining races.
Hamilton, though, had been vocal post-race about the car’s performance, expressing that it was “the worst the car’s ever been” and that he couldn’t wait until Christmas.
“Lewis Hamilton can’t wait to get to Christmas, It is very confusing,” Herbert told SafestBettingSites.
“There are times when he shows his real raw speed and then it all vanishes. How and why does that happen? That’s what I don’t understand.
“The car is a bit up and down like a yoyo anyway and George has similar issues.
“I would be surprised if any racing driver would say he wants out just because it isn’t going well.
“He will still want to finish on a high for the team with whom he’s achieved so much over the years.
“He won’t just drop them, that is not his style, I’d be very surprised if we see anyone else jumping in before the end of the season.”
Antonelli and Russell are the future, says Herbert
It is unlikely that Mercedes and Hamilton would even entertain the idea of an early exit, but with only three races left of the 2024 F1 season, the focus will soon be shifting towards 2025 for Toto Wolff.
At the Italian Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli was confirmed as Hamilton’s replacement after the Briton announced his shock move to Ferrari at the start of the year.
The FIA steward believes the focus has already shifted towards Russell and that Mercedes has preferred to spend time helping the 26-year-old over the outgoing Hamilton.
“Lewis is coming to the end of his time at Mercedes and George is the future, and Antonelli is lined up for next season,” he added.
“They will be favouring George and a lot of the energy and input will be coming from him.
“They want to make him feel as positive as they can before next season when he is team leader, he is delivering too now.”
Despite recent struggles, the 2024 F1 season has been significantly better than the last two campaigns for Hamilton.
In 2022 and 2023, the British driver went without a single victory, whereas this year Hamilton was victorious at the British Grand Prix in front of an adoring home crowd.
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