Lewis Hamilton has expressed his genuine delight in his ongoing pursuit of excellence alongside Mercedes.
Despite his reduced participation in securing routine victories in the 2023 season, Hamilton finds immense pleasure in the process of striving for optimal performance.
Since making the bold decision to join Mercedes at the conclusion of the 2012 season, Lewis Hamilton, the exceptional driver, has experienced a remarkable and fruitful journey with his present team.
Departing from McLaren, Hamilton embarked on a new chapter, which has proven to be immensely rewarding for him.
Throughout his tenure at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton has achieved an awe-inspiring record, clinching an extraordinary six world championships, an impressive tally of 103 victories, and securing pole position 103 times.
However, despite his remarkable achievements, Hamilton has faced a victory drought since his triumphant win at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The absence of victories for Mercedes during the inception of the new regulations came as an unexpected and unparalleled streak, leaving fans and experts astounded.
The general consensus had been that the 2022 car from Mercedes would maintain its competitive edge, making its lack of competitiveness all the more surprising.
In the wake of Hamilton’s absence of triumphs, coupled with him being the second oldest driver on the grid, right behind Fernando Alonso, speculations about his motivation have arisen, drawing scrutiny from pundits and sparking discussions about his potential retirement within the realm of Formula 1.
“From our point of perspective, we know we’re not fighting for a win,” Hamilton told the media. “So it’s arriving with the hope that you’re able to find a little bit of magic through the weekend.
“Every small decision, every position that you get in qualifying makes that difference and I would say I’ve been enjoying this more, for the short term.”
In the course of this century, Formula 1 has witnessed numerous eras of dominance. Overcoming formidable adversaries such as Michael Schumacher during his tenure at Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, and presently Max Verstappen at Red Bull has proven to be a significant challenge, each requiring considerable time and effort to surpass.
Lewis Hamilton, who is anticipated to extend his association with Mercedes beyond 2023 through a new agreement, elaborated on the myriad advantages of piloting the leading car in Formula 1.
“When you know that the car works in this window, and it’s consistent, it’s much easier to get it into that set-up,” the Seven-time World Champion remarked.
“When you’re with a car that I have, for example, you’re trying everything, every different set-up, to try and eke out a little bit more performance.
“But when you have performance in hand, you’re not necessarily always having to make risky choices throughout practice.
“You don’t have to push the bodywork as tight as possible, put the engine on the rim of the temperature because you have a little bit of breathing space.
“Then you don’t have to push the tires as hard, so you can lift and coast a bit more, which ultimately means longer stints.”
The 38-year-old added: “But you still have a job to do, you still have to go out there and deliver it, you still have to focus and you still cannot make mistakes, and that comes with a lot of pressure.”
After concluding its enthralling journey in Spain, the next anticipated destination for the F1 2023 season is the Canadian Grand Prix. Scheduled to take place at the esteemed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, the thrilling race is set to unfold over the weekend of June 16-18.
