After losing out on the 2021 drivers’ title on the final lap of the season to Max Verstappen, Hamilton did not win a race in the 2022 and 2023 seasons as Mercedes struggled to adapt to new regulations.
The team appeared to have overcome their difficulties when winning three out of four races in the middle of this season, with Hamilton victorious in the British and Belgian Grands Prix.
However, he and team-mate George Russell had a series of accidents in the US Grand Prix last month and Hamilton was unhappy with the handling of his car in Brazil.
Referencing his troubles in Sao Paulo, Hamilton said: “In the heat of the moment, for sure I’d much rather be on the beach and chilling and ‘I don’t need to do this’.”
He added: “It wasn’t a great feeling in that moment but I’m here, I’m standing strong and I’m going to give it absolutely everything for these last few races.
“Nothing can take me down. I’ve got a team that I genuinely still love and even though I’m leaving, I want to give them the best that I can in these next races.
“If they provide a car that wants to stay on track, then hopefully we’ll have a better result.”