Glum Hamilton’s Mercedes future: “I’m no quitter; but it’s not giving me a lot…”

Hamilton finished fifth at the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, behind teammate George Russell who was third, but trailing the Red Bulls.

The seven-time F1 champion has delivered a blunt admission that his inability to extract performance from his Mercedes, for the second year in a row, is hampering his enjoyment.

• F1 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Full Race results from Round 2

“I love this team and I’m so grateful for everyone that’s been on the journey with me,” he said.

“I don’t envisage being anywhere else. I don’t see myself quitting, I don’t feel like I’m a quitter.

“But I wouldn’t say that it’s giving me a lot. I have been there, done that, got the T-shirt, many times.

“I am trying to be patient and work with the team to get us to a good place.

“I’m not planning on going anywhere else but I couldn’t get any more out of the car today. I’ve got to keep trying.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had previously given the honest assessment that Hamilton must look elsewhere if his team can’t deliver a winning car soon. The driver's contract expires at the end of this season and, although he claimed a new deal was inevitable during the winter, it remains unsigned amid his team's problems.

Hamilton, now 38, has claimed he will race on until capturing an eighth title, which would be an all-time record, but after only one race in 2023 it already appears impossible to compete with the Red Bulls.