“I Know We Can”: Lewis Hamilton Stays Hopeful for Special Reasons, Despite Christian Horner’s Shocking Insult

When the ground-effect era started in 2022, there was one team on the grid that had decided to take a big risk. While the other teams had intricate side-pod designs, Mercedes left everyone shocked at how minimalist their sidepods were! Unfortunately for the Brackley outfit, their zero-pod concept proved to only be hindering them. The aggressive design had one major flaw: it made the W14’s balance extremely finicky! Something Hamilton was not a fan of since day one! But after Lewis Hamilton got a much-deserved podium at the Mexican GP, things are looking up for the seven-time world champion and Mercedes.

However, the Brackley outfit has a mammoth task at hand! It’s going to take a lot of work behind the scenes if they want to compete against Adrian Newey’s masterpiece, the RB19. The signs were there, however, the Mexican GP being their second consecutive podium finish on merit, had Hamilton not been disqualified from the US GP. Even though Christian Horner had stated that it was a ‘stroke of luck’ through which Mercedes had managed a mega performance at the Mexican GP, Hamilton was positive on the team’s journey ahead!

Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about his chances of battling at the front after the Mexican GP redemption

After a brilliant finish in Mexico, Hamilton reflected on the team’s progress in an interview with Sky Sports, quoted by LWOS, “I know we can build a great car. We haven’t for the past two years – but we can,” – The seven-time champ had been vocal about his complaints with the “zero-pod” approach, especially the 2021 porpoising issues that were enough to cause concussions!

But Lewis Hamilton is aware that Red Bull will not just remain idle, Adrian Newey’s hands are itching for next year. The Brit added, “I think we are progressing. But I’ve heard that Red Bull are progressing as well.” He reflected on the need for the Brackley outfit to be cautious and well thought out if they want to make a dent in the RB19’s pace. “So we have to be really, really strategic and clinical – they [Mercedes] know that already – in order to be battling those guys.”

According to the Mercedes man, the tables have been turned on the German squad after 2021. They find themselves losing out in pace to Red Bull, a hindrance the W11 from 2020 did not have to face. Reflecting on the same, Hamilton added, “They are so quick on the straights. We are losing two and a half tenths into Turn 1. But I believe. I’m ready.” Ultimately, there is only one goal for the seven-time champ that Mercedes needs to fulfil, “If we can get a car that can match them, we’re going to have great battles next year.”

His words were echoed by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff on the radio after Hamilton crossed the line in second, at the Mexican GP. The team boss was ecstatic with Hamilton’s driving, telling him “Now we just need to give you a car that can win”. So it’s safe to say the energy at the Brackley outfit is at an all-time high after a well-deserved result this weekend! However, there’s another team principal who was looking to rain on Hamilton’s parade after the Mexican GP!

Christian Horner rains on Hamilton and Mercedes’ Mexican parade

While the Mexican GP was what every Lewis Hamilton fan had dreamed of, the same was not true for the home fans. Even though the Dutch Lion cruised to victory, Red Bull suffered an immense loss as Sergio Perez was out after a turn-one tussle with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. However, Kevin Magnussen crashed into the barriers on Lap 33, triggering a red flag. The incident played into Hamilton’s hands, as the Mercedes man had opted for a one-stopper.

Amidst Perez’s retirement, a fuming Christian Horner sidelined the mega-drive put in by Hamilton to point out. He was quoted by PlanetF1, “They had a bit of a stroke of luck because they went in very early for a one-stop strategy,” – The Milton Keynes boss spared no one at the Mercedes garage, saying that if it were not for Magnussen’s crash, the team’s upgrades alone would not have sufficed. When asked what he thought would have happened if Mercedes had not been dealt a favourable hand, Horner chimed in, “I think in the end they would have been beaten by the Ferraris.

Although Christian Horner seemed to discredit Hamilton’s performance, he commended the team on their pace and tyre management, something the German team is popular for. He concluded, “But it is true that they had good speed and did well in terms of tyre wear, as we have seen from them all year.”

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Whether you agree with Christian Horner, or you’re rooting for Lewis Hamilton. One thing’s for sure, the battle in 2024 is heating up, and Red Bull is not safe! First, it was McLaren making their bid as a frontrunner after Qatar. After which Ferrari decided to follow suit with the back-to-back poles. And now, Mercedes has entered its name into the Red Bull Challengers camp!