Just 18 months ago, Mercedes was confident about the development of their challenger under the new regulations. However, soon the perspective toward the W13 changed. The solitary win in Brazil gave the team more hope. The start of the 2023 season again took that away. After incessant complaints, the Brackley outfit gave in and went the Lewis Hamilton way and changed major factors of the car, especially the side pod design. Still, the team is far from winning a race in 2023, which will equal their worst output in a season from 2011. This is exactly why the boss Toto Wolff made an extremist comment about the car, but Hamilton decided to be the saving grace for all the hard work put into the troubled W14.

There is no doubt the W14 and W13 are one of the most disappointing cars Mercedes has ever produced in Formula 1. Despite that, we cannot forget the contribution of the entire team back in Brackley, who spent countless hours manufacturing the car. This is exactly why, when Wolff said, “We will throw this car in the trash, even if it is really fast.” It came off as a bit harsh. Countering Wolff’s comments, as quoted by Motorsport-Total, Hamilton decided to raise the morale of all the hardworking people in the factory.

“Of course, we will never throw the car away. These cars are still masterpieces.” Even if the W14 is “not the fastest car in the world,” admitted Hamilton.

Recognizing the contribution of the team back in Brackley, Hamilton added, “2,000 people worked so hard to build these [cars] and they will continue to be part of our history and our learning curve. There will be parts of it that we are trying to change. We will try to keep some of the positive aspects [of the car], because there is always something positive, good and bad, and we try to keep the positive aspects.” [translated via Google]

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Although despite the encouragement, Hamilton is counting down the days until he can rid himself of the W14.

Lewis Hamilton reveals he is looking forward to the end of the current campaign

Life in Formula 1 has been difficult for the past two seasons for Hamilton. At least in 2021, he was driving a competitive enough car. For the past two seasons, he’s barely got the whiff of even a race win. Despite being hopeful in 2022 and optimistic in 2023, the Brit now cannot wait for this abysmal reality of driving an uncompetitive car to end. This is exactly what he revealed in his recent comments.

“I’ve just got to do better in qualifying, so it’s not such a difficult day,” he said. “And [it’s about] just living with the car that we have at the moment. [At Monza] it’s the third-fastest car, and it’s obviously painful for all of us. We wish we were quicker. But we’re just counting down the days to February.”

No one is sure if the 2024 season will deliver on Hamilton’s expectations. However, the Brit is staying hopeful as he slowly and gradually edges closer to the end of his time in F1.

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