Lewis Hamilton can finally win the eighth F1 title in 2023 due to problems with Red Bull and Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton is still waiting for his next realistic opportunity to become the most decorated Formula 1 driver of all time by winning a record eighth Drivers' Championship title after failing to achieve the milestone this year. The 37-year-old has simply been unable to match Max Verstappen during the campaign, with Mercedes lacking pace against Red Bull and Ferrari in a surprising twist after their eight-year bastion at the top of the pecking order.
Hamilton hasn't even managed to win a single Grand Prix in 2022 and insisted after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that he was happy to see the back of what was arguably his worst campaign to date since his F1 debut. in 2007. However, it seems entirely possible that his lackluster year was nothing more than a blow if Mercedes manages to smooth things over by giving him an award-winning car when action resumes in 2023.
p>The Silver Arrows struggled with porpoising throughout the first half of the season before failing to deliver consistent results despite improving their performance towards the end of the year, but they appear to be full of confident about their hopes of fighting up front again on the next call. Many of their problems have been blamed on the radical build of their W13 challenger, which implemented a unique 'zero sidepods' design, but team principal Toto Wolff has already insisted that some painful lessons have been learned as they contemplate making a fresh start. year.
"The engine ran very well, and I'm proud of what we accomplished there," Wolff said earlier this month. "On the chassis side, there were more bad times than good ones, but the good ones were spectacular like a week ago [in Brazil], and they made us feel how good it can be. Now we don't let's just move on for the next one It's hard, it's bad, it's okay to feel like this, but next year we're back."
JUST IN: George Russell 'not proud' of Mercedes debut season
If Mercedes can back up their newfound confidence by producing a car capable of battling for weekly wins next year, it could give Hamilton the platform to show off his skills and lead the fight against Verstappen again in his bid to clinch an unprecedented eighth title before he decides to call it a day. Meanwhile, it looks like Red Bull's era of dominance could be short-lived if they end up struggling to build up their pace over the course of the season after being hit with reduced wind tunnel time following a violation of budget ceiling rules. in 2021.
The likes of Christian Horner and Adrian Newey have already warned that Red Bull could lose up to five tenths of a lap time due to penalties imposed on them by the FIA after a lengthy investigation earlier this year. . This could allow Mercedes to force their way back into the equation in terms of a fight for end-of-season honours, especially if they manage to get their own house in order by the start of the 2023 campaign.
NOT TO MISS
Helmut Marko details meeting with Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff
Red Bull chief Adrian Newey targets new FIA probe into F1 regulations
FIA issues new ban for drivers with Hamilton and co who will be affected
Ferrari could also run the risk of faltering next year after deciding to sack Mattia Binotto before appointing Frédéric Vasseur as new manager earlier this month. The historic Italian team now has five divisions...
Lewis Hamilton is still waiting for his next realistic opportunity to become the most decorated Formula 1 driver of all time by winning a record eighth Drivers' Championship title after failing to achieve the milestone this year. The 37-year-old has simply been unable to match Max Verstappen during the campaign, with Mercedes lacking pace against Red Bull and Ferrari in a surprising twist after their eight-year bastion at the top of the pecking order.
Hamilton hasn't even managed to win a single Grand Prix in 2022 and insisted after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that he was happy to see the back of what was arguably his worst campaign to date since his F1 debut. in 2007. However, it seems entirely possible that his lackluster year was nothing more than a blow if Mercedes manages to smooth things over by giving him an award-winning car when action resumes in 2023.
p>The Silver Arrows struggled with porpoising throughout the first half of the season before failing to deliver consistent results despite improving their performance towards the end of the year, but they appear to be full of confident about their hopes of fighting up front again on the next call. Many of their problems have been blamed on the radical build of their W13 challenger, which implemented a unique 'zero sidepods' design, but team principal Toto Wolff has already insisted that some painful lessons have been learned as they contemplate making a fresh start. year.
"The engine ran very well, and I'm proud of what we accomplished there," Wolff said earlier this month. "On the chassis side, there were more bad times than good ones, but the good ones were spectacular like a week ago [in Brazil], and they made us feel how good it can be. Now we don't let's just move on for the next one It's hard, it's bad, it's okay to feel like this, but next year we're back."
JUST IN: George Russell 'not proud' of Mercedes debut season
If Mercedes can back up their newfound confidence by producing a car capable of battling for weekly wins next year, it could give Hamilton the platform to show off his skills and lead the fight against Verstappen again in his bid to clinch an unprecedented eighth title before he decides to call it a day. Meanwhile, it looks like Red Bull's era of dominance could be short-lived if they end up struggling to build up their pace over the course of the season after being hit with reduced wind tunnel time following a violation of budget ceiling rules. in 2021.
The likes of Christian Horner and Adrian Newey have already warned that Red Bull could lose up to five tenths of a lap time due to penalties imposed on them by the FIA after a lengthy investigation earlier this year. . This could allow Mercedes to force their way back into the equation in terms of a fight for end-of-season honours, especially if they manage to get their own house in order by the start of the 2023 campaign.
NOT TO MISS
Helmut Marko details meeting with Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff
Red Bull chief Adrian Newey targets new FIA probe into F1 regulations
FIA issues new ban for drivers with Hamilton and co who will be affected
Ferrari could also run the risk of faltering next year after deciding to sack Mattia Binotto before appointing Frédéric Vasseur as new manager earlier this month. The historic Italian team now has five divisions...
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