Sir Lewis Hamilton has clearly been an asset to the Mercedes F1 team ever since he joined in 2013. He transformed the team into a powerhouse, winning six championships between 2014 and 2020. Surprisingly, once, his teammate back in 2016, Nico Rosberg, managed to beat him. Otherwise, nobody could imagine Lewis Hamilton struggling to win titles in the turbo-hybrid era. He helped Mercedes win eight constructor’s championships from 2014 to 2021.
Albeit Lewis Hamilton lost the Driver’s World championship in 2021. But the seven-time champion has been winless since 2021 at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. If Hamilton had won the last Grand Prix of that year in Abu Dhabi as well, then he would have been an eight-time world champion already. But looks like the Mercedes driver is ready to give up his hopes of winning a race this season as well in order to win his eighth championship next year.
Lewis Hamilton Is Ready To Sacrifice This Season To Win Title In 2024
It looks like Lewis Hamilton winning another championship title is not going to happen anytime soon. Max Verstappen, the current double-time champion, is enjoying a healthy lead over the others at present. Moreover, it seems the Dutchman will make a hat trick of championship victories. On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton is getting ready to sacrifice a great deal to allow his team to fix the car for the next year. Even if it means giving up on hopes of winning the current season or at least a race this year.
Moreover, at the Driver’s press conference before the Austrian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton mentioned, “I care less to win a race this season rather than winning the championship next year.” Adding to that, the seven-time champion mentioned that every race this season is like taking a small step toward improving the car. But it does not guarantee that the next GP will be the one where Mercedes beats Red Bull. But taking those small steps is essential and Hamilton hopes that they will catch up with their rivals by the end of the season.
The Seven-time Champion Feels Austrian Circuit Never Helped Mercedes Car
However, Lewis Hamilton is working hard to get a win every race. As the car’s development is moving in the right direction. But he feels that Red Bull is already focusing on the next year’s car. That’s why they are so far ahead. Moreover, Lewis Hamilton does not feel they will have a better result in Austria. It is because the circuit never suited their car. The problem with Mercedes car is the race pace. They are like the fourth fastest. At present, they are after Red Bull, Ferrari and also Aston Martin.
Lewis Hamilton feels the Qualifying session was very tough in Austria. But he is glad that he managed to get through it. But things fell apart for Mercedes and Hamilton with the introduction of the new cost cap era. They lost their touch to build the best car. And struggled the most among the powerhouses to win a race in the last two years. The only race Mercedes won since the start of the 2022 season was in Sao Paolo, Brazil. It was the maiden GP win for the young Briton, George Russell, in his debut season for Mercedes.