Hamilton receives 'weirdo' verdict after Qatar misery

Dutch racing driver Tim Coronel has claimed that Lewis Hamilton is behaving like a "weirdo" and is "demotivated" ahead of his final appearance for Mercedes. 

Hamilton heads into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the back of a miserable weekend in Qatar, where he finished outside the points following two penalties. 

He was unable to match the pace of team-mate George Russell, who finished just off the podium in fourth. 

The seven-time world champion finishing in 12th, marked the first time he has been outside the points this season in a race he has finished.

Coronel is certain the 39-year-old is struggling for motivation ahead of his final grand prix with Mercedes, due to not testing for Ferrari next week in the post-season test.

"Wow, he sure has lost some motivation, the teeth!", Coronel told RacingNews365.

"He's just demotivated by the fact that he doesn't get to get into that Ferrari after the race in Abu Dhabi. It seems like he blames Mercedes a little bit for that. He's an emotional type though." 

In Coronel's eyes, the 105-time race winner is done with the Silver Arrows and "doesn't feel like it anymore, at least not at Mercedes".

Hamilton can bounce back at Ferrari

Speaking after the Qatar GP, Hamilton accepted that he is not expecting much from this weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit, convincing Coronel that the veteran is struggling for motivation.

"Why do you think he says that? Because he doesn't believe in it himself either!" assessed Coronel. "I don't think he should hang his head like that. 

"He's letting himself be known a bit this way, always when the going gets tough. I think he's a weirdo, have balls, just say you weren't fast and you're not motivated. Period. 

"And then go make something beautiful out of it. He just has no self-reflection, absolutely zero. It's always his environment and never him. I'm kind of done with that."

As mentioned, Hamilton received two costly penalties in Qatar, the first for jumping the start and the second for speeding in the pit lane. 

A five-second time penalty and a drive-through penalty were the British driver's punishments, with Coronel believing the errors were of a rookie level.

"It does look a bit like that," noted Coronel. "He's just not focused. How much do you get paid to do something good? Then don't make such stupid mistakes." 

In the latter stages of the race, Hamilton did ask Mercedes if he could retire the car, a request which was rejected.

 "While he was in control, he just wasn't motivated, I don't know what was going on," added Coronel, before offering his thoughts on if Hamilton will be motived in the season finale. "I don't think so. I think he is really counting down."

Despite the sad end to Hamilton's career at Mercedes, Coronel is confident that his spark can return at Ferrari.

"I hope next year he will find a bit of fire again," said Coronel. "Next year he could be someone else. You don't forget how to ride a bike and so you don't forget how to drive."