Was it all a lie? Was it never as good as it felt? The songs of praise of the understanding between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were being sung for the entirety of the last season as the two were going through a rough patch due to a terrible W13. The same was being said for this year as well, as the cooperation continued after an underwhelming run by the W14 in Bahrain. But for fans, Lewis Hamilton’s recent statements bring out “hypocrisy,” as he has been accused of turning his back on the team in difficult times.
We’ve all read stories of how Lewis Hamilton has stepped up to take a bigger role in the team since George Russell arrived last year. However, the recent statements have enraged the fans and given his haters another excuse to target his promises and words. According to Grand Prix 247, the Mercedes driver called out his team, saying, “Last year, there were things I told them. I said the issues that are with the car. I’ve driven so many cars in my life so I know what a car needs. I know what a car doesn’t need. I think it’s really about accountability.”
He added, “It’s about owning up and saying: Yeah, you know what? We didn’t listen to you. It’s not where it needs to be and we’ve got to work. We’ve got to look into the balance through the corners, look at all the weak points, and just huddle up as a team. That’s what we do.”
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This has fueled some resentment and anger among the fans, as they believe that the driver has turned his back on the team. The statement wasn’t welcomed by any means and only became a point of contention for the fans as the driver’s new contract hung in the air.
Anger surges among Mercedes’ fans against Lewis Hamilton
Statements such as this have been extremely rare, almost nonexistent, from Lewis. Nevertheless, it only took one such comment, and the fans are out digging into his past statements. And instead of backing Lewis on his accountability for team claims, they are now holding the driver accountable for his own words from the past.
READ MORE: Realist Toto Wolff Sticks to His “Stopwatch” Principle After Mercedes in Disarray After Bahrain
I'm sorry but does he just expect a whole company to only listen to one driver?
— MSG98 (@MGAGLIANO981) March 8, 2023
I am starting to feel like Lewis Hamilton isn’t the best driver there ever has been… It might have been the superior car that handed him those titles instead 🤔
— Sav Mondo (@SavMondo) March 8, 2023
"my team doesn't make mistakes"
"we have a 'no blame' culture"— dystainak (@dystainak) March 8, 2023
🤐 https://t.co/mGhQZvpLTO pic.twitter.com/VuXCVFD2sM
— t (@biibliomaniac) March 8, 2023
Quite an ugly thing to do.
instead of discussing it behind close doors, he is opening up the subject to public discussion.
Not very professional from Sir Ham.
— Peter Rufai (@PuliRufai) March 8, 2023
The shock from the comments is unreal, and many called Lewis out for thinking too much of himself and too little of the team.
Of course it’s not his fault. It wasn’t the car when he won everything but is the car when he’s not.
— Mike McCandless is happy (@1MikeMcCandless) March 8, 2023
Dude’s always completely wrong over the radio no wonder they didn’t listen to him.
— JustAnother Tweeter239 (@TweeterB239) March 8, 2023
Michael never spoke badly of his team. Same as Seb at Ferrari. Defended them in the media even though it was totally obvious the team messed up https://t.co/ExPqsXj9z0
— Ryan (@RyanH579) March 9, 2023
And the mask keeps falling down. Real douche Lewis is back. https://t.co/FBz8yh9ZrF
— LK F1 (@lkftgf1) March 8, 2023
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That’s honestly really stupid of Lewis to say. Yes it’s their job to make a better car, but you can’t expect to go from midfield to top again in a single season https://t.co/2zbgpwTYnC
— Max (@MaxwellMyself) March 9, 2023
All the work and reputation gained by Lewis by being compassionate with the team in its hard times seems to have washed away. The comparisons with other legends came in, and he has been declared a “loser”.
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WATCH THIS STORY: An Insight Into Lewis Hamilton’s Dating History
Do you think the reaction is justified? Is the driver right in this, or does he need to clear the air and offer apologies? Let us know in the comments below.