Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton enjoyed his best weekend of the season at the Australian Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver having claimed his and the team’s first podium of the 2023 F1 season.
Hamilton was brilliant at the Albert Park Circuit and demonstrated incredibly consistent pace, although, it still wasn’t good enough to remain in sight of reigning World Champion Max Verstappen.
Verstappen claimed victory with relative ease, despite having fallen behind George Russell and Hamilton on the opening lap.
Hamilton overtook Verstappen at Turn Three on the opening lap with a great late-braking move and remained ahead of the Dutchman for a handful of laps, before ultimately being breezed past with ease.
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Hamilton once again commented after the race that Red Bull’s car this year is simply unstoppable, with the 38-year-old having stood no chance against the RB19 when Verstappen opened its rear wing.
Mercedes certainly still have plenty of catching up to do in order to beat Red Bull, with Hamilton having been seen looking at the rear of Verstappen’s car after qualifying.
The 103-time race winner was spotted getting a closer look of Verstappen’s car, with many having joked that retired four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel “would be proud”.
Vettel was often spotted checking out his opposition, with Hamilton perhaps having been attempting to figure out what’s making Red Bull so quick.
Hamilton hailed Verstappen after the race for being “in another league”, with the 25-year-old having “disappeared” after overtaking him.
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“The car has been difficult and for us to be finishing on the podium is really remarkable, especially at this point when we haven’t actually changed the car. I feel so, so happy right now,” Hamilton said.
“Clearly we have a lot of work to do to catch Red Bull because they came flying past and disappeared [but] I think this hopefully gives us a real hope and boost of energy.
“I hope this is a message to everyone to dig deep and keep pushing, it is not that far away and it is relatively close to your reach. We can definitely fight the Ferraris and [Aston Martin].
“Max is in another league, his car is so fast. He passed me half way down the straight and he was 10 metres ahead. I don’t know how they are so quick on the straight, it is insane. They are just in another league. Until we pick up speed on the straight like they have and have the crazy downforce they had in the corners, that is how it is going to continue.”