Lewis Hamilton wants Mercedes to make “bold decisions” to close the gap with Red Bull

Lewis Hamilton feels that Red Bull will run away with the 2023 championship if Ferrari does not stop them.

Lewis Hamilton wants Mercedes to make “bold decisions” to close the gap with Red Bull

Lewis Hamilton. Image via Twitter.

Lewis Hamilton hoped for a better start to the 2023 Formula 1 season. The porpoising is gone, and it is a huge relief for the team. But they still lack the pace to compete with Red Bull, Ferrari, and possibly Aston Martin. Hamilton and his teammate, George Russell, finished fifth and seventh at the Bahrain GP. They are not where they want to be at the moment. 

During his media duties on Thursday ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP, Hamilton admitted they were struggling on the straights last season, and the team was compelled to take a bigger wing to help them in the corners. The Briton feels that it is the opposite this year, the deficit lies in the corners, and they are quick on the straights. 

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Hamilton does not think Red Bull showed their full capability in the Bahrain Grand Prix. “I think in the race they weren’t pushing, and so I think they’re a lot quicker than they even seemed. We have it as them being a second and a half faster in the race per lap or something like that.” Hamilton further joked that Mercedes might win only if Red Bull, Ferrari, and Aston Martin could not finish the race. 

The seven-time world champion wants the team to make bold decisions to close the gap with the front runners. ”We’ve got to start making some bold decisions. Some big moves to close the gap to these guys. Red Bull will run away with it most likely this year, unless Ferrari can probably stop them But hopefully, at some point during the year, we’re hoping we might be able to close the gap.” Lewis Hamilton feels that by the time they fix the W14, it will be too late to fight for the championship.

Related: “I’m obviously worried,” Carlos Sainz on Ferrari’s reliability ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP

Lewis Hamilton does not think Mercedes can compete for the 2023 world championship

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Lewis Hamilton. Image via Mercedes.

After the Bahrain GP, Hamilton mentioned his team did not listen to him. But the driver clarified that it was a poor choice of words and is all well within the team. The Briton gave clarity to his fans amidst the rumors of him leaving the team, “we continue to pull together, I still have 100% belief in this team.” Hamilton stated he was not going anywhere and was committed to Mercedes. 

The Briton stated he is not a fan of the zeroed design. The Mercedes driver knew they weren’t in the right place when he saw the car for the first time. The other cars on the grid looked different from Mercedes with their side pods design. After the Bahrain GP, Toto Wolff revealed that the team would radically change the car. It was a wake-up call for them. They want to move forward and win races again.

In case you missed it:

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