Ferrari issue response to startling Hamilton claim

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has insisted he is not worried about Lewis Hamilton's form after he declared he is “not fast anymore”.

Hamilton endured a difficult Qatar Grand Prix last weekend and finished the race outside the point-scoring positions.

It marked his penultimate race for Mercedes ahead of his highly-anticipated switch to the Ferrari squad next season.

Hamilton has experienced a difficult handful of seasons under the current technical regulations, and has commonly been out-paced by team-mate George Russell of late.

But Vasseur, who will work with Hamilton from next month, pointed to the seven-time world champion's strong race in Las Vegas as a recent example of his speed on display.

“Not at all,” Vasseur told media including RacingNews365 when asked if he was worried about Hamilton's form.

“Have a look at the 50 laps that he did in Vegas.

“Starting P10, finishing on the gearbox of Russell [who won the race], I’m not worried at all.”

Hamilton concedes Mercedes term 'won't end on a high'

Hamilton enters his final race in Mercedes colours this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

The race will draw the curtain on an iconic 11-year partnership, which stands as the most successful team-driver pairing in the sport's history.

Hamilton conceded he is not expecting to bow out on a high note but pledged to put his full effort into his last outing with Mercedes.

“I don’t think we’re going to end up in a high,” the seven-time world champion said. 

“It will end and I think what’s important is how we turn up, we give it our best shot.

“I don’t anticipate a particularly much better weekend than we’ve had in the past weekends, but naturally I’ll try. Go in with low hopes and maybe come out with a better result.

“It doesn’t really make a big difference either way, these last races for me don’t have an impact on everything.”