Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton expressed his self-doubt and frustration over the performance of his F1 car, the W14 during the 2023 season whilst in an interview with the BBC. The 38-year-old British driver criticised Mercedes for not making the changes he requested, leading to a challenging season.
Lewis Hamilton has candidly shared his struggles and reflections on the past F1 season. The British driver found himself grappling with doubts, a situation that many top athletes can relate to. His honesty sheds light on the mental challenges that come with high-level sports.
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Hamilton’s critique of the Mercedes team is notably frank. He sensed early on that the W14 would not meet expectations. However, his feedback seemed to fall on deaf ears. Hamilton’s disappointment is palpable when he talks about the changes he requested that were not implemented. He commented to the BBC:
“Ultimately, when you have difficult seasons like this, there are always going to be moments when you’re like: ‘Is it me, or is it the car? Do you still have it? Has it gone?’ Because you’re missing that, you know… when the magic happens, when everything comes together, the car and you, and that spark, it’s extraordinary. And that’s what you’re in the search for.
“I’m only human. If anyone in the world tells you they don’t have those things, they’re in denial. We’re all human beings.
“I remember it feeling exactly the same. And that definitely was not a great feeling. I really had high hopes.
“I’m sure there were frustrations, because I had asked for certain changes, and they weren’t done.
“No-one knew exactly what the problem was. No-one knew how to fix it. Having the experience of the previous year, I just applied myself, in terms of digging down, sitting with the guys. We were having much better meetings. I was able to stay a lot more positive during the year and be like: ‘It’s going to be a long season, but let’s not give up. Let’s keep pushing towards getting the maximum out of the car, whatever that may be.'”
