2023 is just an extension of the latest regulation reset of 2022. With the advent of ground-effect cars and a cleaner aero ruleset, F1 overhauled its rule book massively to make cars look ‘next-gen’ and also improve pure racing. While the regulations have worked so far in as much as allowing cars to follow better, some teams have absolutely nailed it, whilst others have disastrously tumbled down the order. Lewis Hamilton finds himself on the unfortunate side of this spectrum.

2014 was the last ‘massive’ rule change that affected performance the way 2022 has. And with the start of the turbo-hybrid era that year, Mercedes got it absolutely right, and Hamilton embarked on a rampant run of domination as he wracked 6 world championships. However, now, he’s seen both sides of the coin, but how and where did the Silver Arrows get it all so wrong?

Lewis Hamilton pinpoints Mercedes’ folly

Truth be told, there were two big changes that kick-started Mercedes’ downfall and shaped the grid order we see today. Along with the aero rule changes, the FIA and F1 also introduced the $135,000,000 cost cap restriction.

And while speaking to M4 Sport, Hamilton hypothesized a resulting unlucky sandwich that the Brackley-based team found itself stuck in the middle of. He explained, “We’ve been caught off guard with the cost cap and then, just the direction of the new regulations. You can’t just copy and paste and do something different. It has to evolve and maneuver into a different direction.”

“It just takes time. Has it been quick enough? Maybe not.”

Read More: “Don’t Care Where I End Up”: With $35,000,000 Future Still up in the Air, Lewis Hamilton Makes a Shocking Confession

But has this unfortunate turn of events derailed the 38-year-old from the vision of that elusive 8th?

Hamilton channelizes his childhood struggles

Lewis Hamilton probably sowed the seeds of a record-breaking 8th world title way back when he was only 8 years old! Can you believe it? With Mercedes struggling for pace and drivability, the Brit thanks his lucky stars for the struggles of his past.

You can bet on it that even with a struggling W14, Hamilton can still fight at the very top. He continued, “I started racing with terrible go-karts. I know what it’s like to have nothing and fight with something from the back. When I was a kid, when I was 8 or 9 years old, I was starting last all the time because my go-kart wasn’t as good as the rich kids’. That’s where I learned my skill.”

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Can Lewis Hamilton really fight for a world championship soon, even with a sub-par Mercedes?