Hamilton on a tough 2 years: when you don’t win, you say different things to yourself. The seven-time champion admits what’s on his mind

Two seasons without a win – that’s exactly the statistic plaguing Lewis Hamilton after 2023. And no wonder. Mercedes may have defended at least second place in the Constructors’ Cup ahead of Ferrari, but that’s little consolation for the Silver Arrows, given the past.

When the turbo-hybrid era began in 2014, the Mercedes – Lewis Hamilton combination was absolutely devastating. The British driver had won a total of six championships by 2020, while the Silver Arrows had won eight constructors’ titles in a row.

This hegemony was only broken in 2022 by Red Bull Racing. After entering a new era in 2022, Mercedes failed to develop a concept that would allow Hamilton or George Russell to challenge for the top rungs.

In any case, as far as Hamilton just purely as a driver is concerned, the absolutely crucial fact is that from his entry into F1 in 2007 until 2021, it has not happened that Hamilton has not won at least once in a season.

However, the 2022 season changed that, with Russell securing Mercedes’ only win. And that was in the Brazilian Grand Prix. This year, for the first time in many years, neither of the German team’s drivers won the race.

Apart from the Singapore Grand Prix, which was won by Carlos Sainz in a Ferrari, Red Bull captured all the championships. Max Verstappen won nineteen times, Sergio Pérez twice. In addition, the Dutch driver set a symbolic record in the last Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

An unhappy Hamilton on a difficult two seasons…

This situation understandably raises some important questions for the seven-time champion. But in an interview with BBC Sport, Hamilton adds in the same breath that his race performances have been mostly good. But unfortunately he couldn’t fight for the win with the W14.

“When you’ve had such difficult seasons, there’s always a moment when you think: ‘Is it me? Or is it the car? Do I still have it in me or is it gone? Because you miss it, you know… When everything comes together, it’s something special. That’s the spark you’re looking for,” Hamilton admitted.

“I’m only human. If someone tells you they don’t feel that way, they’re in denial. We‘re all human,” the 38-year-old Mercedes driver added.

In the end, Hamilton finished third in the drivers’ championship with 234 points. He clearly beat his teammate, as Russell finished the 2023 season in eighth place (175 points). Overall, the active legend recorded six podium finishes.

Source: F1, BBC Sport