Where do you go if you have stayed at the peak for too long? A team facing an unprecedented slump would be in an ideal situation to answer that. Case in point, the downward trajectory of Mercedes in the past few months. The glorious feat of the German team winning eight constructor titles in a row would make anyone have faith that the team that has excelled for so long cannot tumble down, but little did we know. A bitter throwback from last year has reminded the world of the confidence Lewis Hamilton had in his team and how it hasn’t been a rosy journey after that.
The troubles of porpoising Silver Arrows have already been talked about a million times, but it still is a curious sight to see that the champion team hasn’t been able to better their construction. A video posted by ESPN F1 on their official Twitter account has put forth the ironic state of affairs at Brackley as compared to the undying faith their champion had in them. The same Lewis Hamilton who recently blasted his team for not listening to him has contrasting emotions in the said clip.
When Lewis was asked if Mercedes made a mistake developing the car last season 🤐 pic.twitter.com/S4SZilMXv8
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 10, 2023
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The interviewer questioned Hamilton, “Do you fear that the team will not be able to give you the car capable to win and fight for the championship?” Irked by the question, the Briton replied, “Why would I feel that way?” Now cautious, the journalist still went on to state, “May have built a car which is not capable to win the championship.”
Hamilton, still confused by the question, reiterated himself, saying, “Why would I ever think that, we have won eight in a row. Why would I ever feel that way?” The journalist then pointed at the invincibility, saying, “Because they can make a mistake building that car.” And having complete belief in his team, the 7x champion stated, “My team doesn’t make mistakes.”
While it is a true sportsman’s quality to have faith in your team and people, the Mercedes trajectory hasn’t quite done justice to the faith Hamilton had in them.
Fans were quick to bring “La La Land” resident Lewis Hamilton back to reality
Lewis Hamilton lost his calm when he openly called his team out for not listening to him and bringing on an underwhelming car in 2023 as well. But a contradictory video from Barcelona Testing last year has the fans calling out the irony of the situation. Have a look at the comments below:
I am a massive Hamilton fan but this did not age well 👀
— Dani ‘the truthful’ Gooner (@DaniSaadu) March 10, 2023
Lewis needs to be realistic, and not live in la la land.
— RandyMan76 (@RandyMan76) March 11, 2023
This aged like milk
— DeenoBean (@DeenoBean) March 10, 2023
Lewis: My team don’t make mistakes.
The Mistake: pic.twitter.com/9DSv13e82g
— Nate (@creighzynate) March 11, 2023
Unfortunately, this aged like milk 😭😭😭😭
— Mr leg kabob (@TheuselessMKguy) March 10, 2023
I feel that steadfast confidence he has in the team has now been badly shaken. It remains to be seen whether they manage to bounce back and mount a proper championship battle in 2024.
— TJ Sorinake (@Sorinake_Jordan) March 10, 2023
Fans were quick to point fingers at the man who vehemently defended his team last year. Because this was the usual undertone of all of Hamilton’s conversations before he became visibly upset with his team recently.
A bit different to what Lewis is saying about his team this year!!!
Totally throwing them under the bus this year!!— mandy kyle (@mandykyle6) March 10, 2023
Hahah🤣🤣🤣@F1 can be a brutal sport!
Hopefully Lewis has learnt the hard lesson to be more humble in your utterances even if your expectations are not
Toto and @MercedesAMGF1 have learnt that lesson and the current humbler Toto is much nicer to listen to
— Nedu2010 (@Nedu2010) March 10, 2023
ESPN F1 posting non-positive things about Hamilton pic.twitter.com/146Ckl7OI4
— dystainak (@dystainak) March 10, 2023
That reporter when he sees this article… pic.twitter.com/C3hDSAfrxS
— br47 (@imabr47) March 10, 2023
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His team almost made him break his back with that car in Baku.
— Andrés De la Ossa (@an_dario) March 10, 2023
The growing Mercedes troubles have not been a secret and the recent tweet by ESPN has just reminded the fans that it wasn’t always like this, but last year Lewis spoke too soon.
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Watch This Story: Lewis Hamilton Finds Himself in an Unusual Situation With His Teammate for the First Time Since 2007
Do you think Mercedes can come back from the quicksand-like situation they have been drowning in for months now?