The Formula 1 car that Lewis Hamilton says he never wants to drive again
Tuesday can't come soon enough for Lewis Hamilton.
That will be the last time the seven-time Formula 1 world champion will have to drive the dreaded Mercedes F1 W13.
After a reign over Formula 1 that lasted nearly a decade, the new-for-2022 regulations turned the tables on Mercedes.
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Instead of the Silver Arrows dominating, it was Red Bull and Ferrari who read the rulebook right and left Mercedes to play catch-up.
With qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix topped by Max Verstappen, Hamilton broke a 15-year run of seasons in which he claimed pole position at least once.
Come Monday, the Formula 1 icon looks set to break a similar record. Notwithstanding a shock result, Hamilton is set to have his first winless season in the sport.
Lewis Hamilton will drive his W13 for the final time on Tuesday before the team introduces a new car for 2023. dpa/picture alliance via Getty I
Hamilton joined the Formula 1 circus in 2007 and won just his sixth race in Canada for McLaren Mercedes.
Two days of testing will follow the conclusion of the Formula 1 season at the Yas Marina Circuit.
That will mark the final time Hamilton has to drive the W13.
"I am looking forward to the end of Tuesday which is the last time I will have to drive this thing," he said.
"I don't ever plan to drive it again. It will not be one of the cars I request to have in my contract.
"Everyone in the team knows the problems and where we have gone wrong. I am pretty confident that they are not going to build the next car with any of those characteristics."
George Russell stands atop his W13 after winning the Brazilian Grand Prix. Formula 1 via Getty Images
By contrast, Hamilton's teammate George Russell is enjoying his best season to date.
Ironically, it's the best car he has ever had the privilege of racing for a full season after three years spent dawdling at Williams.
Russell took a surprise win at the Brazilian Grand Prix for what was his first Formula 1 race win. He lies fourth in the standings, one place ahead of Hamilton.
Of the record, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said it wasn't one he believes Hamilton cares too much about.
"He says that the one victory a year isn't really a record that bothers him," said Wolff.
Lewis Hamilton has never gone winless in a Formula 1 season. Formula 1 via Getty Images
"If I'm trying to put myself in his shoes, where I was before Brazil, it didn't particularly bother me whether we would win a race this season, because all our eyes are already on next year.
"But having won one, it felt pretty good. At least nobody could say you didn't win a race.
"I don't think this particular record is an important one for him, but we need to provide him with a car next year in which he can fight for victories and championships.
"That's most important and he knows that."
Wolff admitted there's very little hope for Monday that Mercedes can claim a win due to the nature of the Yas Marina Circuit and the characteristics of the downforce-heavy W13.
"Abu Dhabi was one of the worst tracks on our 'table of doom'," he said.
"Not catastrophic, but not ideal, and we have seen that today.
"We are just way too draggy, and it is not easily solved by reducing the rear wing because it is aerodynamic efficiency the car is lacking.
"If we reduce the wing, we are not fast in the corners.
"In a way, it is good there is correlation between our simulation and the result. That is the one positive I see.
"I hope we have a strong race car that is gentle on the tyres even if we can't overtake, or defend."
Mercedes will introduce a new car for 2023, set to be known as the W14.
The Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix gets underway at midnight Sunday.
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