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After the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton told the Mercedes team over the radio: “If this is the last time that I get to perform, it’s a shame it wasn’t great, but [I’m] grateful for you.” It was a disappointed but appreciative message after a difficult weekend—not an announcement that he was quitting immediately.
What Hamilton said after the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix
Formula 1 quoted Hamilton’s message as he returned to the pits after the race. His words acknowledged how poorly the weekend had gone while thanking the Mercedes team. The phrase “if this is the last time” expressed how he felt in that moment; it did not mean he had decided to leave before the season ended. Formula 1’s report on Hamilton’s Brazil reaction also records that he planned to give everything in the remaining races of his Mercedes tenure.
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Why the message was so emotional
Interlagos had been a frustrating weekend for Hamilton. In changing conditions, he struggled with the Mercedes’ handling, was eliminated in Q1 qualifying and described the car as “undriveable.” He finished with the final point available and called the race “the bumpiest ride ever,” according to Formula 1’s account. Those are Hamilton’s descriptions of his experience, not independent measurements of the car.
Speaking to media ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, he explained the feeling behind the radio message: “In the moment, that’s how I felt. I didn’t really want to come back after that weekend, but I think that’s only natural.” He also said he was present, standing strong and ready to give everything in the races still to come. This later interview is separate from the radio exchange; the two quotes should not be read as one continuous message.
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Was Hamilton leaving Mercedes after Brazil?
No. Hamilton was due to join Ferrari the following season, but Brazil was not his final race for Mercedes. Formula 1 reported that he intended to continue through the last three races of his Mercedes tenure. The radio line conveyed how disappointed he felt after São Paulo, not a decision to abandon the remaining events.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the Brazil message differs from other Hamilton radio moments
| Moment | What happened | Why it is different |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil, 2021 | Hamilton won after starting tenth, in a comeback drive documented by Formula 1’s race video and Mercedes’ retrospective. | A victory and recovery story, not the difficult-weekend message from 2024. |
| Brazil, 2024 | After a tough weekend at Interlagos, Hamilton thanked Mercedes over the radio while expressing disappointment. | This is the exchange described in this article. |
| Abu Dhabi, 2024 | Hamilton’s final race for Mercedes ended with a fourth-place finish and a final-lap pass on teammate George Russell. His radio message included: “I love you guys,” as reported by Formula 1. | This was the actual Mercedes farewell, later in the season—not the Brazil radio message. |
The distinction matters because the Brazil 2024 message can be mistaken for either Hamilton’s triumphant 2021 radio moment or his later goodbye at Abu Dhabi. The three moments belong to different races and carry different meanings.
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