Lewis Hamilton stormed out of an interview in the paddock following his ninth-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion’s struggles continued as he picked up just two points, as his worst ever start to a Formula One season continued.

Mercedes opted for a bold tyre strategy following the early red flag from Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo’s crash, as both Hamilton and George Russell attempted a one-stop strategy after the restart.

They switched back to two-stops after Hamilton sharply insisted over the team radio: ‘Change the strategy.’

After the race, a reporter asked if he was jealous of Ferrari – the team he will drive for next year – after they finished third and fourth with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

Lewis Hamilton walked away from an interview after he was asked whether he was ‘jealous’ over the speed of Ferrari – the team that he will be joining in the 2025 season

Hamilton’s worst ever start to a season continued with a ninth-place finish in Japan

Ferrari have finished on the podium in all four races with Carlos Sainz (pictured) taking third in Japan after his victory in Australia

Hamilton was not impressed with the question as he retorted: ‘Do you have any better questions?’

The reporter apologised but before they could ask a further question, Hamilton walked away and his press officer simply said: ‘Thank you.’

In an another interview, Hamilton revealed that he suffered damage after the restart following contact with Leclerc.

He said: ‘The car is never what I hoped it would be. It’s never what we hoped it would be.

‘I got some damage I think in the first stint at the restart with Charles [Leclerc] and I had massive understeer, like huge, huge understeer.

‘So that’s why I decided to let George [Russell] by, because he seemed quicker and I just couldn’t turn the car.

 ‘It took us two stints to finally dial more and more wing in to make up for that loss. Last stint, I was better, but it was too late, I had 10 seconds to regain.’

Hamilton struggled during the race and had to let team-mate George Russell through

Russell didn’t fare much better, though he capitalised on a late mistake from Oscar Piastri to snatch P7 on the final lap of the race.

Hamilton has won six of his seven championships at Mercedes, but has not won a race since the 2021 season.

His P9 finish maintains his worst ever start to a season with just ten points in four races – 67 off championship leader Max Verstappen.