Downbeat Lewis Hamilton already looking forward to 'next year's car' after giving up on current Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton is giving up on this season’s Mercedes and already looking towards the next campaign. Hamilton will start in fourth place on the grid at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday after the starting line-up is revised following penalties for seven cars taking new parts. Ad Fourth flatters the Mercedes which is almost two seconds off the pace of the quickest driver, current world champion Max Verstappen.

Belgian Grand PrixSainz takes pole in Spa, Verstappen fastest but penalty puts him back of grid2 HOURS AGO The Red Bull driver is just one of many cars that will hope to battle through the pack with superior pace, especially with the Spa circuit expected to encourage overtaking. Speaking to Sky Sports after qualifying, Hamilton praised his team but could not hide his disappointment. «Everyone is working for improvements,» he said.

«We came here very optimistic we could be close, but to be 1.8 seconds behind is a real kick in the teeth.” Sainz takes pole in Spa, Verstappen fastest but penalty puts him back of grid Verstappen aiming for podium 'with a car like this' despite grid penalty 'They are way too fast' — Ferrari worried over Red Bull threat Hamilton continued, saying he was already looking forward to a fresh start next year. He said: „It's a car we continue to struggle with and definitely won't miss it at the end of the year. For me, it's just focusing on how we build and design next year's car.