Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton is hopeful that Mercedes’ 2023 car will “be quicker” than their woeful 2022 challenger, so that the 38-year-old can bounce back from his worst season in Formula 1.
2022 was miserable for Hamilton, with the British driver having failed to claim a victory or a pole position, for the first time in his career at the pinnacle of motorsport.
As a result, Mercedes slumped to third in the Constructors’ Championship, whilst Hamilton ended the year in sixth.
2023 though, should be drastically better for the statistical greatest of all-time, with Hamilton having had his first taste of driving the W14 at Silverstone on Wednesday.
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The Brackley-based team launched their car for the upcoming season on Wednesday at the home of the British Grand Prix, before completing their shakedown test across Wednesday and Thursday.
Hamilton’s brief period of driving the team’s new car wasn’t his first time back in the cockpit this year, with both the Stevenage-born driver and George Russell having used their 2022 ‘diva’ at Jerez, Spain.
Both drivers took part in a Pirelli tyre test at the Spanish venue, something which allowed Hamilton to work on his pre-season fitness.
With this year’s winter break being remarkably short, Hamilton opted to take a shorter break from his training regime, something which will likely allow him to get back in shape faster than usual.
He’s feeling “good” in himself already ahead of the forthcoming season and is remaining focused on never taking his “eye off the ball”.
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“I got in the car, I did 160 something laps in Jerez, and I felt good,” he said on Wednesday.
“As always, after the first day of running the back of your neck is always a sore part, and then you just get used to it.
“I’m sure, still, after the first days that we’re running, your body is still getting accustomed to the forces, as the car should hopefully be quicker this year.
“Yeah, but just never just taking your eye off the ball, but still trying to also enjoy your time, to be present with the group that you’re with.”