Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes F1 is still paying the price for a poor start under the new regulations, with a flawed foundation hindering the team’s progress. With the 2022 W13, the team had to take a significant step back, as explained by the seven-time world champion.
“I think this sport is naturally difficult,” admits Hamilton. “If you start off on the right foot and the first brick laid has a good foundation, you can keep building on it, and I think that’s what we’ve experienced in recent years.”
“Whereas when we started with this generation of cars, we began with bricks, a good weight, we had to knock them down and try again, knock them down and try again, and strip back that performance, essentially.”
“We made all these changes, we tried everything, we sometimes lost our way, sometimes found it again, then lost it once more, I think it’s very complex.”
Everyone is “in the same boat”
Hamilton praises the resilience of the employees at Mercedes F1, and their determination to help the team progress despite the tough times the team is currently facing.
“I’ve been part of the team for a long time so I know pretty much everything it has to offer, so I wouldn’t say I’ve learned anything new during this period. The team has been incredibly resilient. There are people who have been here for over 20 years who have experienced the highs and the lows.”
“There are people who joined the team during the successful period we had who have only known the good times with the team, and who are now experiencing the tough times. I think what’s really special about this team is that we have extraordinary core values.”
“The team continues to communicate, not only on the track, but also off the track. Okay, we’re not winning races as we want to, but it’s not always about the destination, it’s about the journey, isn’t it? And we’re all in the same boat.”
“Anything can happen in this sport.”
The British driver doesn’t believe that Mercedes is doomed to endure a difficult season until the end, and he hopes to demonstrate, as Aston Martin and McLaren did in 2023, that a team can make a turnaround.
“I think it’s all about perspective. I think we didn’t start the season as we would have liked, we have a long way to go. We’ve seen in the past—last year, for example—how things can change with some teams.”
“Last year, for instance, Aston or McLaren started off strong or the opposite. So, anything can happen in this sport. I think we just need to learn as much as possible, make the most of the data, stay positive, and continue to work hard.”
“I always say that it’s not how you fall that counts, but how you get back up. We’re going to keep pushing and fighting, hoping that we can compete at the front at some point.”
Hamilton 2022 Foundation Development. Hamilton 2022 Foundation Development
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