Lewis Hamilton didn't sound positive when asked about Mercedes' chances of winning the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.
However, the Stevenage-born racer should use Michael Schumacher as inspiration if he's finally to achieve a first win of the season.
Hamilton has struggled in South America over the past two days, with Mercedes continuing to struggle for consistency as a team.
Qualifying didn't go well, with the 38-year-old finishing behind the likes of Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Charles Leclerc and, somewhat inevitably, Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton last won the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix back in 2021
GETTY
Hamilton toiled in the sprint race on Saturday, too, dropping to seventh - having been able to climb as high as fifth.
He's so pessimistic about Mercedes' chances of winning in Brazil that he's even written off the race already.
"We won't be winning, that's for sure," said the veteran.
“It’s frustrating that the car is the way it is… we have one of the draggiest cars.
“Our floor is not as strong as perhaps the Red Bull for example, so we have to have a really big wing, and then we’re just slow on the straight. We can’t use anything smaller.
“It’s one of those circuits that’s challenging for tyres, but that’s the worst deg I think I’ve ever had here.
"I can’t remember the last time I had that bad a deg here.”
If Hamilton does reign supreme, however, he'd have emulated Schumacher by winning the race on four separate occasions.
The Mercedes star won at the track for the first time back in 2016, before once again emerging victorious two years later.
His last triumph came back in 2021, with his team-mate George Russell winning in Brazil last season.
As for Schumacher, the 54-year-old won the first time in 1994 while racing for Benetton - with history repeating itself the following year.
He would conquer Brazil on two more occasions while racing for Ferrari, in 2000 and 2002 respectively.
So while Hamilton can be forgiven for feeling glum, the prospect of equalling another Schumacher record should fire him up.
Triumphing in Brazil would leave him just two behind Alain Prost, who has six Brazilian GP titles to his name.
And whether he can finally achieve a first race win of the season remains to be seen.
Hamilton has, meanwhile, admitted that he can't wait for the season to end due to Mercedes' car issues this year.
“The last couple of races we’ve been excited that we’re progressing, and it’s been really positive to see," he stated.
“And you come to another track and then you have the worst deg that you’ve had for ages.
"So it’s like you just don’t know what to expect with this one.
“But only a couple more races with this car and it’s gone, and I’ll be happy.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Michael Schumacher won the Brazilian Grand Prix four times during his time in F1
GETTY
"This year, you’re just counting down the days, trying to enjoy every day as you can.”
After the Brazilian GP there will be just two races remaining.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is due to commence on November 19.
And the season will then draw to a close at the Abu Dhabi GP seven days later.
