Hamilton delivers bleak assessment ahead of Mercedes F1 exit

Lewis Hamilton has detailed his goals for his final three races at Mercedes ahead of his switch to Ferrari next year.

The seven-time world champion has endured a mixed campaign, with his fortunes peaking midway through the year when he won twice in three races - including at his home British Grand Prix.

However, Hamilton has struggled for form of late and has voiced discomfort behind the wheel at recent rounds.

Last time out in Brazil, he scored a solitary point in 10th place as he now enters his last experiences with the Brackley-based.

When asked how he is recharging for the final triple-header of the season, Hamilton told media including RacingNews365: “I just put my focus on something else. I'm not fighting for the championship. 

“It doesn't matter, really, where we finish in the championship.

“I don't care if I finish ahead of George [Russell] or behind George. It doesn't make any difference to me.”

Hamilton is set to end the year with 246 grands prix for Mercedes - a record for the most starts for a single team.

The 39-year-old asserted earlier this year he was hoping to end the stint on a high, but now has declared he is looking forward to the season being over.

“I just want to keep the car out the wall and try to score points if I can for the team, if I can finish, whatever,” he said.

“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. But I'm looking forward to Christmas.”