When was the last time Lewis Hamilton won a race? If you can’t recall it, not to worry. Most F1 fans are in the same boat. Since 2022, Mercedes has been trying to get a grip over a worsening car. The team did make progress with upgrades introduced in Monaco. But as other teams brought in their upgrades, Mercedes had no answer and fell down the grid. As much as Lewis Hamilton wants the car to change, Toto Wolff can’t help him because of the $135 million budget cap.

In the 2 practice sessions on Friday, Mercedes were able to test out the new upgrades at Silverstone. But, it didn’t look like there were any upgrades. In both sessions, both Mercedes drivers finished outside the Top 10. Hamilton and George Russell didn’t look quite happy during the post-practice interviews.

“We came here with an upgraded front wing, we were very hopeful that that was going to help propel us a little bit more forwards, but the car was very much the same today,” said a dejected Hamilton.The drivers may have a lot of wants, but Wolff can provide not much relief.

Wolff said, as quoted by SilverArrows.net, “The cost cap is a real constraint now because you cannot just go for a B-spec car. Lewis and George have been pretty vocal about what they would want to change in the car, and that’s simply not possible because we are lacking the financial corridor. That’s why we’re looking very much at next year to change these things.”

Read More: Following Lando Norris’ Heroics in Qualifying, Lewis Hamilton Slaps Toto Wolff & Co. With a Brutal “Wake Up Call” Ahead of Home Race

Now, that McLaren has looking to join the fight for podium places, Hamilton has one more challenge in front of him. But like a true sportsman, he has commended the Woking outfit for their progress.

Despite Increased Competition At the Front, Lewis Hamilton is Happy for McLaren

McLaren was going to bring a big upgrade package at Silverstone. But no one expected it to be so good that they would directly qualify in P2 and P3. Lando Norris securing P2 was not as much of a surprise as Oscar Piastri securing P3. Even the rookie driver was over a tenth quicker than Hamilton. However, the 7-time champion was more happy than sour looking at McLaren’s progress. After all, he won his 1st ever WDC with them, in 2008.

The British World Champion is known to perform better at the British GP. Against all odds, can he continue his podium streak today that he has maintained since 2014?

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