Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, has come to terms with Red Bull’s exceptional performance. At a recent race in Sao Paulo, Hamilton’s Mercedes team faced a tough day, finishing lower than expected. In his home away from home, Brazil, Hamilton placed eighth, with his teammate George Russell unable to finish the race. This setback left Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff quite unhappy. The dominance of Red Bull and Max Verstappen, who secured his third world title, has left Hamilton pondering whether Red Bull might stay at the forefront of Formula 1 for years to come.
Lewis Hamilton Admits Red Bull’s Supremacy
Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has recognized that Red Bull’s strong performance in the sport might continue for years. This realization comes after his Mercedes team had their worst performance in over a year. It happened during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday. In a race that took place at the famous Interlagos circuit, Hamilton, an honorary Brazilian citizen, finished in a disappointing eighth place. His teammate George Russell had to stop racing. Mercedes F1 team boss, Toto Wolff, was very clear, saying the result was “not good.” This marked Mercedes’ weakest performance. It was since the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix, where Hamilton and Russell finished in ninth and fourteenth place, respectively.
“We’re losing a lot of time on the straight sections, and there’s nothing I can do about it, and then we’re struggling in the corners,” Hamilton said in his post-race comments. Just a year ago, in Brazil, George Russell won for Mercedes with Hamilton finishing second. However, in this year’s race, Red Bull and Max Verstappen were the strongest. Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver, has been very successful in the 2023 F1 season. He won his third F1 world title in Qatar last month. He achieved this feat with six Grand Prix wins and two sprint races to spare. “The Red Bull is significantly ahead; I think they’ll probably be dominant for the next couple of years,” Hamilton acknowledged, hinting at Red Bull’s lasting control. Many in the motorsport community share this view. This is because Formula 1’s next major rule change isn’t planned until 2026.
“Red Bull Will Lead the Field for Years to Come,” Says Hamilton
In the ongoing competition for the second position behind Verstappen, Hamilton is competing with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. After the Sao Paulo race, Perez outscored Hamilton. Now, he leads by a considerable 32-point margin with only two races remaining in the season. Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team boss, stressed that the results from the Brazil race have highlighted the need for significant changes. These changes will shape Mercedes’ approach for the upcoming year.He expressed his disappointment, saying, “Totally confusing. We are a well-structured, strong team, and that didn’t look like a strong team.”
Hamilton, on the other hand, remains hopeful, despite the challenges. He noted, “Ultimately, all I can do is try to stay positive.” In contrast, Wolff expressed a more cautious stance, saying, “In 13 years, I’ve never felt positive or confident, but it’s perhaps more my issue and my mindset.” However, Wolff revealed that Mercedes is committed to making significant changes to their car to stay competitive.
Red Bull F1 boss, Christian Horner, suggested that McLaren, which had Lando Norris finish second in Brazil and uses Mercedes engines, could be strong contenders in the upcoming season. He emphasized the importance of focusing on their own performance, saying, “It’s been different people at different times during the year, so I think we just keep focusing on ourselves, and whoever’s behind us on the timesheet is almost irrelevant. As long as we’re at the top of it, that’s what we’re focused on.” As the Formula 1 season comes to a close, it’s clear that the battle for the top position in the sport is far from over, and Red Bull’s dominance remains a big factor.