Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has insisted he is not worried about Lewis Hamilton’s form after he declared he is “not fast anymore”.
Hamilton endured a difficult Qatar Grand Prix last weekend and finished the race outside the point-scoring positions.
It marked his penultimate race for Mercedes ahead of his highly-anticipated switch to the Ferrari squad next season.
Hamilton has experienced a difficult handful of seasons under the current technical regulations, and has commonly been out-paced by team-mate George Russell of late.
But Vasseur, who will work with Hamilton from next month, pointed to the seven-time world champion’s strong race in Las Vegas as a recent example of his speed on display.
“Not at all,” Vasseur told media including RacingNews365 when asked if he was worried about Hamilton’s form.
“Have a look at the 50 laps that he did in Vegas.
“Starting P10, finishing on the gearbox of Russell [who won the race], I’m not worried at all.”
Hamilton concedes Mercedes term ‘won’t end on a high’
Hamilton enters his final race in Mercedes colours this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
The race will draw the curtain on an iconic 11-year partnership, which stands as the most successful team-driver pairing in the sport’s history.
Hamilton conceded he is not expecting to bow out on a high note but pledged to put his full effort into his last outing with Mercedes.
“I don’t think we’re going to end up in a high,” the seven-time world champion said.
“It will end and I think what’s important is how we turn up, we give it our best shot.
“I don’t anticipate a particularly much better weekend than we’ve had in the past weekends, but naturally I’ll try. Go in with low hopes and maybe come out with a better result.
“It doesn’t really make a big difference either way, these last races for me don’t have an impact on everything.”
