Red Bull and Max Verstappen have been dominating the 2023 Formula 1 season, with Verstappen securing a record-breaking ten consecutive grand prix victories. Despite this, Lewis Hamilton, the reigning world champion, is not concerned with ending Verstappen’s winning streak. Instead, he is focused on improving Mercedes’ performance and getting the team back to a position where they can win on merit.
Hamilton acknowledges the exceptional job that Verstappen and Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey, have done this year. He praises their collective effort and recognizes that they deserve credit for their success. Hamilton sees no point in trying to take Verstappen or Newey out of the equation. Instead, he believes that Mercedes needs to “level up” and do a better job to compete with Red Bull.
With the final eight races of the season ahead, Hamilton sees plenty of opportunity for Mercedes to make a comeback. The remaining races include two street circuits, three sprint weekends, and venues where rain is likely, all of which pose challenges that could potentially work in Mercedes’ favor. Hamilton remains hopeful that Mercedes can capitalize on these opportunities and be ready to perform if any favorable circumstances arise.
Speaking about the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton expresses uncertainty about the performance of the Mercedes W14 around the Marina Bay circuit. Although the team was relatively competitive last year, they did not have a particularly strong race. Hamilton hopes that the progress made by the team since then will put them in a better position this year. His goal is to fight for a podium finish and assess the true capabilities of the car alongside his competitors during the race weekend.
One notable change to the Singapore circuit is the replacement of four corners with a new section of straight. Hamilton believes that this alteration will make the lap easier for all drivers. He jokingly remarks that it also gives Red Bull fewer corners to gain an advantage. However, due to the relatively short length of the straight, Hamilton does not expect it to significantly impact the race. He speculates that the Ferraris or Red Bulls might have an advantage in terms of top speed, but overall, this change is unlikely to favor any particular team.
Historically, the Singapore Grand Prix has not been Mercedes’ strongest race. However, Hamilton notes that with the current Mercedes car, they have been more competitive than anticipated at certain tracks. While he acknowledges that Marina Bay has not been a standout circuit for Mercedes in the past, he remains optimistic that the team’s progress and the characteristics of the current car may lead to a more favorable performance this weekend.
Lewis Hamilton is not fixated on ending Max Verstappen’s winning streak. Instead, he believes that the focus should be on Mercedes improving their performance and challenging Red Bull on merit. Hamilton sees the remaining races of the season as opportunities for Mercedes to capitalize on various challenges and remain hopeful for success. As the Singapore Grand Prix approaches, Hamilton eagerly awaits the chance to evaluate the performance of the Mercedes W14 and compete for a podium finish. While Singapore hasn’t been a favorite among Mercedes in the past, Hamilton remains positive and optimistic about their chances this time around.
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