Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One World Champion, recently expressed his dissatisfaction with his team, Mercedes, for not listening to him regarding the weaknesses in their car. Despite putting up a brave face after finishing the season-opening race in Bahrain, Hamilton’s disappointment was clear as he discussed his team’s approach on the Chequered Flag podcast.
Hamilton started off by mentioning how he had already identified the car’s weaknesses last year and shared them with his team. “Last year, there were things I told them. I said the issues that are with the car. I’ve driven so many cars in my life. I know what a car needs. I know what a car doesn’t need,” he said.
He further highlighted the need for accountability on the team’s behalf. “I think it’s really about accountability. It’s about owning up and saying, ‘Yeah, you know what? We didn’t listen to you. It’s not where it needs to be, and we’ve got to work,'” he said.
Hamilton then laid out the approach the team must take now, stating that they need to look into the balance through the corners, analyze all the weak points, and work together as a team. “We’ve got to look into the balance through the corners, look at all the weak points and just huddle up as a team,” he said.
He signed off by offering some words of encouragement for his team, stating that they are still world champions, and they can get it right moving forwards. “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 forwards,” he said.
Hamilton’s statements come after Mercedes had a disappointing start to the season in Bahrain, with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen winning the race. While Hamilton finished off the podium, he suggested that Mercedes is now the fourth-fastest team in F1, behind Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, and McLaren.
