Lewis Hamilton’s recent comment about no longer being “fast enough” has left Formula 1 fans stunned and questioning the future of the seven-time world champion. The admission came after a disappointing performance in the 2024 F1 Qatar GP sprint qualifying, where Hamilton struggled to match the pace of his competitors.

Despite making it into SQ3, Hamilton could only secure P7, falling behind his teammate George Russell, as well as drivers from McLaren, Ferrari, and his 2021 rival, Max Verstappen. After the sprint qualifying session, Hamilton was asked about any potential issues with the car, to which he casually responded: “Who knows? I’m definitely not fast anymore.”

This statement from Hamilton, who has dominated F1 for years, shocked fans and sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Many expressed sadness at seeing the once-unbeatable driver question his own abilities, with some blaming Mercedes for the drop in performance. One fan tweeted: “Merc is making my goat doubt about his capacity,” while another lamented, “They’re breaking his spirit.”

However, not all fans believed Hamilton was serious. Some argued that his comment was made sarcastically and pointed out that he winked after saying it. Others speculated that Hamilton’s comments were a sign of him mentally preparing for a potential move to Ferrari. “Once he joins Ferrari, he’ll be back to bagging pole positions,” one fan wrote.

Despite his comments, it seems that Hamilton may simply be adjusting to the current car setup. “He’s just trolling. He knows the setup is affecting his performance,” one fan said. With rumors swirling about a possible shift to Ferrari after his contract expires in 2024, Hamilton has remained focused on the remainder of the season, with an eye on a fresh start.

Hamilton’s performance in the final races of the 2024 season has been lackluster, but the Las Vegas GP saw a positive turnaround, with Hamilton securing second place, just behind Russell. However, following his disappointing finish in Brazil, Hamilton seemed mentally checked out, stating that he was looking forward to the off-season.

As the 2024 season draws to a close, fans are left to wonder if this will be Hamilton’s final year with Mercedes, or if a change of scenery could help him reclaim his championship-winning form.