JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Lewis Hamilton has reiterated that he has no plans to go away Mercedes or give up System One on account of his latest on-track struggles.

After eight consecutive seasons on the very entrance of the grid, Mercedes dropped off the tempo final yr and seems to have slid additional down the order this season.

Forward of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, staff boss Toto Wolff mentioned he wouldn’t maintain a grudge if Hamilton walked away from the staff in a few years on account of ongoing poor performances.

Hamilton’s present contract involves an finish this yr, however he performed down Wolff’s suggestion that he may stroll away from the staff if it fails to enhance.

“I am not focussed on that, I like this staff, I am so grateful for everybody who has been on this journey with me on this staff,” Hamilton mentioned. “I do not envisage being anyplace else, I do not see myself quitting.

“I have been there, completed that, purchased the t-shirt. I am making an attempt to be affected person and work with the staff to get us to place. That is all I can say actually.”

Hypothesis round Hamilton’s future comes on the identical weekend that he and his efficiency coach Angela Cullen introduced that they had parted methods.

Requested concerning the causes for the cut up, the seven-time world champion mentioned it was not right down to a falling out.

“Angela and I are good,” he added. “She’s in a special part of her life, we’re nonetheless tremendous shut.

“We hold texting daily, massively supportive and I am massively supportive of her — so grateful to have had her with me on this journey.

“She’s one in every of my closest mates and continues to be.”

Hamilton will begin Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from seventh on the grid, 4 locations behind teammate George Russell, after saying he didn’t have faith within the automotive throughout qualifying.

“The automotive is the place it’s, George did a fantastic job, he is proper up there on the second row, so the automotive is clearly working, I simply do not feel linked to this automotive,” he mentioned. “It doesn’t matter what I do, it doesn’t matter what I modify I am unable to get the boldness again.”