What has happened to Mercedes? Where is the performance they expected? This has even forced star driver Lewis Hamilton to accept that there might be no happy ending for them this year. At best, the driver has had only 3rd place finishes this season. And although his W13 has improved, the car is still nowhere near the two top teams.

It happens time and again that the Silver Arrows increase everyone’s hopes just to slump later. French GPs qualifying was a similar example to what happened in Miami.

Has Lewis Hamilton possibly given up?

While practice sessions were strong, the Brackley outfit is still only the third fastest team. Hamilton and George Russell struggled heavily during Q1 and Q2, even nearing a potential exit. However, the duo put in stellar laps to manage a top 10 finish. But it was clear that the car lacks performance strikingly far away from what its rivals are producing.

Hamilton, post-qualifying, confessed, “We just have to accept we’re not in the same league in terms of performance of car, but still, like, I can get a good start and hopefully battle with Perez, maybe. I’m still gonna be challenging and fighting for a podium if I can.”

Read More: Perez Reveals One ‘Special Thing’ That Helps Max Verstappen Stand Out as the Best F1 Driver

Though the driver seemingly chose to be positive, he is also convinced that there is little chance of touching the likes of F1-75s and RB-18s. Sergio Perez, who is right alongside the Briton, however, needs to be careful of the seven-time world champion.

Watch This Story: Timeline of the Controversial F1 Jewelry Ban Causing Lewis Hamilton to Face Off With the FIA

It is clear though, that the W13 might not improve to match the top two teams, which will require extra efforts from its two pilots to muscle their way to the top.