Mercedes admits that the new car turned out to be not competitive enough, so the team has already begun work on its deep modernization. Lewis Hamilton hopes that the efforts made will close the gap with Red Bull Racing by the end of the season.
“Most likely, Red Bull will continue to refine the car,” Lewis Hamilton shared his opinion with reporters in Melbourne. – Some cars reach the peak of their efficiency, after which it is no longer possible to make them better, but Red Bull will probably still be able to add more. They have a great team and I’m sure they will continue to increase their downforce.
For our part, we must ensure that our improvements will also allow us to add. Hopefully, by the end of the year we will close the current gap.”
At the same time, Lewis repeated the idea that he had no plans to leave Mercedes: “I continue to feel at home in the Mercedes family. I see myself in Mercedes until the last days of my career.
As long as I can help the team move forward, I will continue to contribute. If at some point I realize that I am no longer able to do this, then I will give way to the young.
Speaking about the problems that the 2023 car presented, Lewis noted the uncomfortable landing in the cockpit: “I don’t know if people know that we sit much closer to the front wheels than all the other racers. The cockpit of our car is strongly shifted forward.
As a result, there is a feeling as if you are sitting on the front wheels. This is one of the most unpleasant sensations that are only possible during piloting. In ordinary life, you would not like the feeling of the front wheels under your feet when approaching a roundabout.
This landing changes the attitude towards the car and changes the perception of movement. As a result, it is more difficult to predict her behavior compared to when you sit closer to the center. I really have problems with this landing.
