Mercedes may be poised to narrow the gap to Red Bull in the upcoming Formula 1 season, as Lewis Hamilton’s belief in the team’s potential has been boosted by his recent visit to the team’s wind tunnel. During the 2022 season, Red Bull dominated the competition with Max Verstappen, winning a total of 21 out of 22 races, while Hamilton’s Mercedes team were forced to fight for second place against Ferrari. While the gap between Mercedes and Red Bull was considerable, Hamilton is convinced that the team’s new W15 car has the potential to close the gap and help them challenge for victories in the upcoming season.
After seeing the yet-to-be-unveiled Mercedes W15 in the team’s wind tunnel, Lewis Hamilton is optimistic that the car has the potential to improve upon the team’s performance in the upcoming Formula 1 season. Hamilton’s belief in the team’s progress is a positive sign for the Mercedes squad, as they look to narrow the gap to rival team Red Bull and return to the top of the podium. Despite the dominance of Red Bull in the 2022 season, Hamilton’s confidence suggests that Mercedes are still a force to be reckoned with and that they will fight to reclaim their former glory.
“It’s an exciting time of year for me because I got to see the car in the wind tunnel,” Lewis Hamilton explained at the FIA’s end of season awards gala. “I always make sure to stop by the wind tunnel whenever I visit the factory, and seeing the car evolve in the direction it’s headed is always inspiring. When I leave the factory, I always make sure to take another look, because by then it will be a different animal. I have full faith in everyone who’s working on the car, and I’m hopeful that we’ll be more competitive next year.
“I must also thank my team for their unwavering support and perseverance this season,” Hamilton continued. “Though we started out with a car that was essentially a copy of last year’s model, which was both difficult to drive and not as competitive as we’d hoped, everyone kept pushing and never gave up. I admire the dedication and determination of my team, and I hope that we can come back stronger next season and give it everything we’ve got.” It was clear that Hamilton’s pride and respect for his team remained strong, despite a season that didn’t go as smoothly as the team had hoped.
