Lewis Hamilton has not made much progress since last year. Hamilton completed a winless 2022 campaign but was hoping Mercedes would improve their performances in the upcoming season.
However, 2023 has not panned out according to the 7x champions’ plans. The W14 has a flaw in its design and Mercedes are fighting against time to solve it and become competitive again.
Hamilton has shown his frustration claiming the team did not pay heed to his advice during the development of the car. On the other hand, the Mercedes driver has praised Red Bull for building the fastest car he has ever seen.
“I know what a car need needs. I know what a car doesn’t need”
Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes did not listen to his concerns over their 2023 car 👇 pic.twitter.com/7RluF3OtDN
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 9, 2023
Hamilton does not feel Mercedes can close the gap between the team and the championship leaders in Australia. And in such a situation, only the heavens can give Mercedes a result worth celebrating.
Lewis Hamilton hopes rain can reduce the gap to Red Bull
Hamilton claims the Mercedes are still a mile away from leaders Red Bull. The Briton called the RB19 the fastest car he has ever seen. He believes Merceedes’s archrivals have already sealed the championship this season.
Thus, the 7x champion believes only a miracle can help Mercedes bag an unlikely podium at this stage of the season. He stated, “This weekend I’m just hoping for some rain if I’m really honest.”
He added, “That would make it a little bit more exciting from my point of view. But, I’m just hoping the gap isn’t a second and I hope we can hit the ground running with the set-up.”
“That looked like F1 against F2.”
The difference in pace between Red Bull and Mercedes 😳 pic.twitter.com/mqO8e0s1qM
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 19, 2023
Thankfully, the temperatures are much lower in Melbourne compared to the previous two races. There is a possibility of light showers on all 3 days of the race weekend
Hamilton was no match for Verstappen who overtook him with ease at Jeddah. However, the Briton claims Mercedes is working hard to close the gap between them and Red Bull and finish 2nd in the constructor’s standings.
Hamilton claimed, “We’re trying to fix the issues that we have. It’s not something that’s gonna happen in one race, it’s going to take a few races, hopefully, to get there.”
Mercedes has done a decent job
Although Mercedes has not had a stellar start, Lewis Hamilton believes the team have done a good job. Considering the team is struggling with pace and working on an alternative concept, they have managed to remain in the top 3 of the Constrictors table.
The Briton said, “Given the pace disadvantage we had in qualifying, we’ve managed decent results. George did a fantastic job all weekend. He got the car exactly where it needed to be. I struggled a little bit with the balance that I had.”
George Russell chose better setup during the Saudi Arabian GP feels Lewis Hamilton 👀
Thoughts?#F1 #GeorgeRussell #lewishamilton #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/RavPbUzKFp
— Sportskeeda F1 (@SportskeedaF1) March 21, 2023
George Russell and Hamilton finished 4th and 5th in Saudi Arabia, ahead of the Ferraris. However, Hamilton claimed had he received the same setup as his teammate, he could have challenged for the podium.
He added, “Still, we managed to get 4th and 5th, we’re second in the Constructors championship, at the moment. We beat the Ferraris who have started with a better package than we have.”
Hamilton and Russell are 5th and 6th in the Drivers standings. Mercedes is 3rd but are on level points with Aston Martin. The team could pick up the pace once upgrades arrive in Imola.
