As the 2024 season comes to a close, Lewis Hamilton is preparing for his final race with Mercedes as after an incredible 12-year partnership, the Briton will leave the team at the end of this season to join Ferrari.

His time with Mercedes has been filled with success, including multiple championships and unforgettable moments. However, this year has been tough for the seven-time world champion, with a mix of highs and lows.

One of the good moments was his victory at home Silverstone earlier in the season, but on the other hand, his performance in Qatar was definitely one to forget.

The race was a nightmare for him, as he was penalized for a bad start and speeding in the pit lane. To make matters worse, he suffered a puncture during the race, which left him finishing in 12th place, his worst result since the 2022 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.

This disappointing outcome sparked renewed conspiracy theories from some fans on social media, who suggested that Mercedes was intentionally making Hamilton’s car slower than that of his teammate, George Russell. 

This isn't the first time such theories have emerged. Earlier in the season, an anonymous email was sent around the F1 paddock after the Spanish Grand Prix, claiming Hamilton was being sabotaged by his own team.

Mercedes reacted strongly to the allegations, even threatening legal action. Ironically, Hamilton ended that weekend on the podium, putting to rest any doubts about the team’s intentions and further disproving the sabotage rumors.

When it was put to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff that fans on social media have been suggesting internal sabotage again, quoted by RacingNews365, he replied: “I’ve never read the comments.

“I just hear that nonsense appears. We can talk at length about the toxic environment of social media that I’ve always said, you hide yourself behind the screen, you open up an account and then you put these comments.

“I wonder who would even have the time to comment?”

He added: “We love our fans. They contribute to what we are and the other ones who believe that they need to create some crazy, made-up conspiracies, it doesn’t even bother me.

“They’re just idiots that have no understanding. They probably never stepped foot in a racing car, never mind a normal car.

“You need to show me some of that stuff just for me to have a laugh.

“A message to the ones that feel free to give us the comments - nobody is reading what you write.”