Lewis Hamilton challenged Mercedes
Mercedes seems to have made a lot of progress since the beginning of the season. Now, the questions are even directed towards a possible battle with Red Bull at the end of the season. But Lewis Hamilton also wants to focus on the next season.
Since the 2021 season, Mercedes has lost its position as the dominant car on the grid. This season, Red Bull has taken that place by a large margin and continues to extend its lead in the championship. Mercedes is now behind, fighting with Ferrari and Aston Martin. It has been two seasons now that the Silver Arrows seem less fit and less able to chase for victories.
Compete from day one
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, wants to change his team’s situation. While the Red Bulls seem untouchable this season, Lewis Hamilton wants to lay the groundwork for next season. That’s why the Brit has expressed his desires to the Brackley teams. George Russell’s teammate wants the car to be able to “compete with the Red Bull from day one.”
“I am more focused on making sure that next year’s car can be up to their pace from the first moments of the next season. The more we keep pushing the development of this year’s car, the more it will impact the following season. The more we learn, the more it puts us in the right direction,” expressed Lewis Hamilton.
Red Bulls too far ahead
Red Bull is too far ahead this season and cannot be caught up with. With Max Verstappen at the helm, the victories this year seem to be destined for the Dutchman. That’s also why the British driver wants to focus on next year, so as not to waste any time.
“They are too far ahead. Max is going to keep winning this year. But that also means they can start working on next year’s car as early as this year, earlier than the others. They may have already started, and that’s the danger,” Lewis Hamilton revealed.
The multiple British world champion still believes that he can compete with the Red Bull team at the end of the year. After a hopeful Spanish Grand Prix, the Mercedes team can still dream of victory in this 2023 season.
“They were about half a second ahead of us per lap. Maybe a little more during qualifying laps. But I think we are heading in the right direction. I know we have things coming up for the car. I hope that at least by the end of the year, we will be able to challenge them,” stated the British driver.
Evolution to ensure
The Mercedes cars will still need development and improvements to challenge the Red Bulls. Currently, the performances of the Silver Arrows are still limited and not good enough to compete for victories at the moment.
With the current car we have, I don’t think we can compete with their racing car. But we are working to improve this car. With the current package, we are limited to the pace we had in Spain, concluded Lewis Hamilton.
The Silver Arrows have already abandoned their zero-pontoon concept, allowing them to gain precious tenths. The progress continues to move in the right direction.
