Lewis Hamilton reveals existential doubts
Even during the first test before the Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton suspects that the Mercedes will not be able to keep up with the front runners in 2023. In the end, the record-breaking world champion finished third in the drivers' championship. After the final race, Hamilton talks about doubts about himself and the task for the next 100 days.
Lewis Hamilton has also admitted to self-doubt after his second consecutive year without a win in Formula 1. The record world champion in motorsport's premier class once again had nothing to do with the title this year, while rival Max Verstappen triumphed for the third time in a row. Hamilton celebrated his last victory - his 103rd - on December 5, 2021 in Saudi Arabia.
"When you have tough seasons like this, there are always moments when you think: 'Is it me or is it the car? Do you still have it? Is it gone?" He is only human, Hamilton said in an interview with the BBC. "If anyone tells you they don't have those thoughts, they're lying to themselves. We're all only human."
He finished third in the standings after the 22 Grand Prix this year with his Mercedes. He scored less than half as many points as Verstappen in first place, which was Hamilton's lowest score since 2013, his first season at Mercedes. Sergio Pérez in the second Red Bull also finished the 2023 World Championship ahead of the 38-year-old Briton. Despite this, he extended his contract during the season until 2025 with the team with which he had won six of his seven World Championship titles.
Mercedes team boss wants to climb Everest
This magic, when the moment comes that everything fits together, is simply missing, admitted Hamilton: "That's what you're looking for." Even after a major change during the season, when the concept without sidepods was adopted, the Silver Arrow, once again painted black, had not become a winning car. From time to time, there was at least hope that the new path might promise improvement.
As early as February, when Hamilton drove his first kilometers in the new car, it was clear that it would not work out this year either. "It felt exactly the same as the year before - and that was definitely not a good feeling. I had such high hopes." In addition, Red Bull achieved a masterpiece with the 2023 model and Verstappen proved to be practically unbeatable with 19 Grand Prix victories - out of a possible 22.
Hamilton even assumes that Verstappen didn't even have to give his all in the RB 19. "You can go through the lap times and some of Max's data - he was chilling at the front most of the time," said Hamilton: "I don't think he broke a sweat this year." Hamilton wants to change that next year. The new season starts in less than 100 days. There is enormous pressure on all of them, Hamilton emphasized. Team boss Toto Wolff even compared the task to climbing Mount Everest.
Despite the challenging season, Lewis Hamilton remains committed to Mercedes AMG, extending his contract until 2025. In the 2023 Formula 1 season, Lewis Hamilton participated in the Motorsport's premier class, racing against rival Max Verstappen and finishing third overall. Hamilton's struggles were evident, as he admitted to questioning his abilities and the team's Formula 1 car, comparing the task ahead to climbing Mount Everest, a metaphor used by team boss Toto Wolff.
Source: www.ntv.de
