The 2022 season is one that Lewis Hamilton would like to forget in a hurry, as he was forced to drive an uncompetitive W13 while watching his 2021 rival Max Verstappen storm his second consecutive world title.
The 37-year-old was beaten by his teammate George Russell in the championship, with the 24-year-old winning Mercedes only race of the season in Brazil, with Hamilton completing the stunning one-two finish.
While the seven-time world champion will obviously be hoping that his team can get back to their best in 2023, he had revealed that he is also keeping an eye on the progress of another team that he has a soft spot for.
“I like looking at McLaren, I always check where they are because that was where I started and I’m always wishing them well even though they’re competitors of mine,” he claimed.
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“There’ll be days where they’re down and I feel sad for them because, again, that’s where I first did my simulation rounds, drove my car for the first time.
“I kinda want them to do well so I hope they have a better year next year.”
McLaren gave Hamilton his break in Formula 1 back in 2007 and the Brit won the first of his seven championship titles with the team in only his second season.
His move to Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season was met with a lot of doubt by those in the sport, as the Silver Arrows did not look like a step up for Hamilton at the time.
The Brit was clearly vindicated for his decision to leave McLaren however, as he went on to win a further six championships with the team, and is currently on the hunt for a record breaking eighth in 2023.
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Hamilton has suggested that his experience battling in the midfield in last season has given him a newfound appreciation for those who are unable to compete with the front running teams year after year.
“I felt this real appreciation for all these other teams that are trying to do the same thing, with the same intentions, trying to be better and fighting for something,” he explained.
“Going through difficult times because they’ve built a car that’s clearly not capable of fighting at the front. It’s pretty cool to be a part of and to witness.”