Sir Lewis Hamilton says that everyone at Mercedes has been pulling together as they negotiate a tough start to the 2022 season.
The re-introduction of ground effect aerodynamics through the new technical regulations has not exactly been kind to the Silver Arrows, and their plenitude of struggles has been epitomised by just two podium finishes, while Hamilton failed to score any points during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend.
The car is an erratic one and the pace is proving difficult to find as “porpoising” continues to blindside them, but the 37-year-old has come through periods such as this one before when McLaren failed to adapt to the new regulations in 2009.
Developing a car was somewhat less complicated 13 years ago, and Hamilton went on to win two races that year.
Asked if there was a particular person he looked up to for motivation, the seven-time champion affirmed that he finds inspiration all around him.
“I wouldn’t say there was one individual during this time that I am focused on,” he said, quoted by GPFans.
“I think I look all around me, and I see I tried to ignore the negative that I see. I’m not really watching the news a lot, but there’s so many inspiring characters out there.
“And I think just continuously proving that you never give up, you keep pushing.”
Dutch racer Tom Coronel suggested that the Mercedes team are “not in a good vibe” at present, but that does not corroborate with Hamilton’s assertion that the Brackley-based squad are united as ever during these times of adversity.
“I love working with this team. Being in a team is such a privilege and working with so many people towards a common goal,” he added.
“And everyone lifted each other up. Incredible how supportive everyone has been through the difficult times, and then we’ve had the most incredible times together.
“So, you know, a couple of bad races is not going to stop us in our tracks.”
The 37-year-old affirmed that success will feel even better as a result of the turbulence they ae currently going through.
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“This is where we unite: this is where we learn more about ourselves as individuals; this is where we, we grow the most. And it makes that eventual success – which I have no doubts we will eventually get to – taste even better,” explained Hamilton.
Mercedes’ performance looked marginally better in Miami last weekend, as George Russell led Hamilton for P5 and P6 respectively.