Lewis Hamilton Baffled By Mercedes Absence After Australian GP: "He Should Leave"

The Mercedes team were nowhere to be seen after Lewis Hamilton's second-place podium at the Australian Grand Prix.

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton finished the Australian Grand Prix in second-place this weekend, marking the first podium finish for the Mercedes team of the season. 

It was a big moment for the team, who are currently having ongoing struggles with the W14 cars, however, fans have been left baffled by Hamilton not being able to find his team after the race to celebrate with them.

The British driver can be seen in released footage asking "where the f*** is my team?" and when asked what the podium finish means to him and Mercedes in an interview, he made a sly comment that he doesn't know what it means to the Brackley-based squad as he hasn't seen them. 

Update: Mercedes F1 Insider Reveals Why Team Wasn't Present For Lewis Hamilton Podium

Fans have been reacting to the situation on social media, and also speculating over what this could mean. 

"Maybe they had a surprise party planned to celebrate 10 yrs"

Maybe they had a surprise party planned to celebrate 10 yrs 🤷🏾‍♀️

— Crystal Whatmore (@crystalwhatmore) April 2, 2023

An optimistic approach for @crystalwhatmore.

"In retrospect, I think that the team may have had to catch a specific flight right afterwards, and the race was very delayed. I think this may be the case as the photographer @Kymillan on instg put up a photo of George rushing to leave the paddock to catch a flight." [sic]

In retrospect, I think that the team may have had to catch a specific flight right afterwards, and the race was very delayed.

I think this may be the case as the photographer @Kymillan on instg put up a photo of George rushing to leave the paddock to catch a flight.

— Candy (@candethom) April 2, 2023

The race was delayed due to multiple red flags so this is definitely a plausible option from @candethom. 

"He should leave, I really think that’s not a coincidence if the new contract haven’t been signed yet. What do you think about the team leaving him alone on the podium deni ?"

He should leave, I really think that’s not a coincidence if the new contract haven’t been signed yet. What do you think about the team leaving him alone on the podium deni ?

— Cédric 🚀 (@Master_Wolf_FR) April 2, 2023

Hamilton's Mercedes contract is a hot topic at the moment. No news has been confirmed from either the team or driver ahead of its current expiration at the end of this year. 

"Consipiracy : I genuinely believe something happened between him and George, why? Because even though he got out, he didn’t even congratulate Lewis and merc on their first podium of the season. He always congratulates Lewis when he got a podium last season"

Consipiracy : I genuinely believe something happened between him and George, why? Because even though he got out, he didn’t even congratulate Lewis and merc on their first podium of the season. He always congratulates Lewis when he got a podium last season

— Mit (@MitPat_) April 2, 2023

@MitPat_ is detecting some friction within the Mercedes team. 

"They’re putting their eggs all in George’s basket now, the fact that they have placed the cockpit so far forward this season which has put Lewis on the back foot is an example of that. Lewis will just have to do his best to adapt & let his results do the talking."

They’re putting their eggs all in George’s basket now, the fact that they have placed the cockpit so far forward this season which has put Lewis on the back foot is an example of that. Lewis will just have to do his best to adapt & let his results do the talking.

— Adam Tauszky (@Leap_year_man) April 2, 2023