Mercedes were reportedly left 'surprised' after Lewis Hamilton hinted he could quit the team early during Sunday's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix.
The F1 star is set to leave the Silver Arrows for Ferrari in 2025, having agreed a blockbuster move earlier in the year.
On Sunday, Hamilton toiled at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix - with the Stevenage-born racer only able to finish 10th.
He said that the weekend had been a 'disaster' and also described his car as the 'worst it has ever been' while speaking on the team radio.
F1 news: Mercedes don't expect Lewis Hamilton to leave early despite his comments at the Brazilian Grand Prix
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Hamilton then sparked speculation that he could leave Mercedes early, with the veteran saying: “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, it’s a shame it wasn’t great, but grateful for you.”
According to The Telegraph, however, the Silver Arrows don't expect Hamilton to leave ahead of schedule - with three races of the season to go.
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It's claimed they were left 'surprised' by his remarks.
One possible explanation, it's claimed, is that Hamilton was referring to a change of pit-crew for the final three races of the campaign.
Those events will be held in Las Vegas and Qatar before the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton has won six of his seven F1 titles while racing for Mercedes, establishing himself as one of the greatest drivers of all time in the process.
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And it appears he'll continue to perform for the team right until the end, even if he won't be claiming a record eighth F1 title this season.
Instead, it looks as though Max Verstappen will secure glory once again.
The Red Bull star came from 17th on the grid to secure victory, all but ending Lando Norris' hopes of winning the title in the process.
And Verstappen was delighted with his win, with the Dutchman saying: "Starting in P17, I knew it would be a very tough race.
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F1 news: Lewis Hamilton was frustrated after finishing 10th at the Brazilian Grand Prix
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"We stayed out of trouble, made the right calls, we stayed calm, and we were flying. All of these things together.
"I mean unbelievable. To win here from so far back on the grid...yeah."
As for Norris, the McLaren star insisted Verstappen benefitted from 'luck'.
The Briton stated: “They [Red Bull] got lucky. A rule [changing tyres during red flag] no one agrees with, they agree with it today, but every driver disagreed with it in the past.
F1 news: Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes for Ferrari next year
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“Today it benefited them, it could’ve benefited us if we stayed out - but that’s a stupid thing to think. A bit unlucky today, nothing more. Disappointed with the result, could have been better but we’ll keep pushing.
“He [Max] drove well, he got a bit lucky!”
