Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain in action during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit, Sunday, March 5, 2023.
Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration with Mercedes for not taking his advice on car development for the current Formula One season.
The seven-time world champion finished fifth in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, March 5, 2023.
During a recent episode of the BBC Radio 5 Live’s Chequered Flag podcast, Hamilton stated that he raised concerns about the car last year, but “there were things I told them” that they didn’t listen to.
Hamilton, who has extensive experience with racing cars, said, “I know what a car needs. I know what a car doesn’t need. I think it’s really about accountability… It’s not where it needs to be and we’ve got to work.”
The 38-year-old racer finished almost 51 seconds behind the winner, Max Verstappen, in Bahrain.
Despite the disappointing finish, Hamilton remains optimistic about the future, saying, “We’re still (multiple) world champions, you know? Just haven’t got it right this time. Didn’t get it right last year. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get it right moving forward.”
Last season was particularly challenging for Hamilton as the Mercedes design was uncompetitive and physically challenging to drive. The car also had a bouncing phenomenon known as “porpoising,” which left both Hamilton and his teammate George Russell bruised and battered after every drive.