
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – June 3, 2023. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during practice. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – June 3, 2023. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during practice. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Always tell the whole truth to your doctors and lawyers. In the world of F1, it is advisable to extend this courtesy to your engineers as well. This is how a team grows and becomes better, with constant feedback and implementation of the feedback. Since 2022 this doesn’t seem to be the case in the Mercedes camp. It took the Brackley outfit over a year to the advice of Lewis Hamilton seriously and a few more weeks to implement it. However, after seeing the initial jump in performance, the team is back to its mediocre self which has made Hamilton make a concerning statement showcasing the lack of trust within the team.
During the 2023 Japanese GP, the Brit wasn’t happy with the state of the car which has been a nagging problem for far too long. Hamilton has been doing his part and giving feedback as to how he wants the car but it doesn’t seem to be changing anything. This is exactly why Lewis made a fiery comment that showcases the cracks in the Mercedes team and the stubbornness of the team and the bosses.

via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy – August 31, 2023 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during the press conference REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
This scenario was discussed on the latest BBC: Chequered Flag podcast by the hosts. Discussing George Russell‘s promotion to Mercedes, the host said, “Then he (George Russell) gets his shot and Mercedes muck up the regulations and it seems only to be getting worse.”
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“Lewis Hamilton with some punchy comments this weekend. He’s saying ‘I’m going to have to go to the factory to see what they’re doing in the wind tunnel. If they are listening to me’ because right now, it sounds like Lewis Hamilton is not being listened to by the Mercedes designers,” added the host.
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Mercedes and a lot of fingers being raised about their quality. These comments from Hamilton also tell us trust issues are also creeping in.
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However, despite the gap in communication and lack of truth currently in the team, the objective is clear.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are on the same page as the objective for both Mercedes is clearly defined
The two Mercedes men have gone through a bit of awkwardness during the 2023 Japanese GP. Despite that, after the helmets are off it’s back to business as all things are left on the track. Both George Russell & Lewis Hamilton know what they are striving for. Thus, there is little point in stepping on each other’s toes which is the exact mindset their comments reflect.
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via Imago
Formula 1 2023: Azerbaijan GP BAKU CITY CIRCUIT, AZERBAIJAN – APRIL 29: Sir Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG, with George Russell, Mercedes-AMG during the Azerbaijan GP at Baku City Circuit on Saturday April 29, 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images Images PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY GP2304_070752_V6A3856
Hamilton said, “Our ultimate goal is to try and get ahead of the Ferraris and that’s what my goal was today. It’s to beat the Ferraris in the constructor’s championship. That’s all that matters. We’re not fighting for a driver’s position in the championship because firstly we’re not close and secondly we’re not fighting for the championship so. Now it’s about just getting the maximum points for the team. I think that’s what we did here.”
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