Mercedes insider reveals Lewis Hamilton early exit decision but team will refuse to make an official statement

LEWIS HAMILTON will race the final three Grands Prix of the year after rumours suggested otherwise, according to a Mercedes insider.

The seven-time world champion had sensationally hinted that he could leave Mercedes early after a “disastrous” weekend in Brazil.

Hamilton made cryptic comments to his team after he finished 10th in an action-packed race at Interlagos.

The 39-year-old expressed gratitude to his engineers after suggesting it could be the “last time” he drives for the Silver Arrows.

With his blockbuster move to Ferrari on the horizon, Hamilton gave a brutally honest message as he earned a point after starting at P16.

He said: “That was a disaster of a weekend guys. That is the worst the car has ever been.

“But thank you for continuing to try. Great job from the guys at the pitstop.

“If this is the last time that I get to perform, its a shame it wasn’t great, but grateful for you.”

Speaking after the race, Hamilton even suggested that he would “happily” take the rest of the year off despite three rounds remaining.

But Sky Sports F1 reporter Craig Slater has squashed the rumours surrounding an early exit.

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He said: “It is far fetched and it isn’t correct. He is going to be finishing the season with Mercedes.

“People are putting two and two together and saying maybe, if Lewis wants to go, this could give Antonelli an early start in F1 to ground him for his first full season. It’s not the case.

“Not entirely clear exactly what he meant on the radio, but I’ve been in touch with a senior figure at the Mercedes team who has told me that Lewis Hamilton will be completing the season with the team.

“And it was pointed out to me that in some other interviews, he talked about the kind of car he hoped Mercedes would give him in these last three races.

“I have it on very good authority that there’s no way he’s going to step aside before the season’s end.

“I don’t think the team want to dignify this kind of thing with an official statement.”

In fact, Hamilton’s message was likely aimed at team members working in Sao Paulo who will not be at the final three rounds of the season.

Hamilton has just three races remaining with Mercedes before joining Ferrari – in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Kimi Antonelli, 18, will join up with George Russell at Mercedes next year.

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk