F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Abandoned By Mercedes – “Don’t Deserve His Loyalty”SEP 18, 2023

F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Not Confident In Mercedes After Poor Season – “Down To The Team Now”NOV 26, 2023

Mercedes News: Toto Wolff “Shielding” Lewis Hamilton From F1 After FIA Rule ChangeJAN 16, 2023

Hamilton’s critique of the Mercedes team is notably frank. He sensed early on that the W14 would not meet expectations. However, his feedback seemed to fall on deaf ears. Hamilton’s disappointment is palpable when he talks about the changes he requested that were not implemented. He commented to the BBC:

“Ultimately, when you have difficult seasons like this, there are always going to be moments when you’re like: ‘Is it me, or is it the car? Do you still have it? Has it gone?’ Because you’re missing that, you know… when the magic happens, when everything comes together, the car and you, and that spark, it’s extraordinary. And that’s what you’re in the search for.

“I’m only human. If anyone in the world tells you they don’t have those things, they’re in denial. We’re all human beings.

“I remember it feeling exactly the same. And that definitely was not a great feeling. I really had high hopes.

“I’m sure there were frustrations, because I had asked for certain changes, and they weren’t done.

“No-one knew exactly what the problem was. No-one knew how to fix it. Having the experience of the previous year, I just applied myself, in terms of digging down, sitting with the guys. We were having much better meetings. I was able to stay a lot more positive during the year and be like: ‘It’s going to be a long season, but let’s not give up. Let’s keep pushing towards getting the maximum out of the car, whatever that may be.'”