Issues between Hamilton and Mercedes? 'They didn't listen to me'

The seven-time World Champion started on a positive note. "I just enjoyed driving. I enjoyed to have a couple of battles, and it was close, but not quite there." It is not the first time in his career that Hamilton has had to drive a non-race winning car. "I've had many cars like this, particulary in my McLaren days. I don't know how or when we are going to do it, to turn it around, but it has to happen."

Mercedes must take responsibility

Hamilton expressed his displeasure with Mercedes. If the team had just listened to him, the car would have been better. "I told the team all the problems I had with the car last year. I have driven so many cars in my life. I know what a car needs and what it doesn't. Now it's really about accountability, owning up and saying, 'we didn't listen to you and now we are not where we should be'."