Lewis Hamilton has stressed that despite a mixed 2023 campaign, Mercedes will “be coming back” to the top of the championship, something he admits will be his “greatest triumph in my career”.
The seven-time World Champion is still yet to claim a race victory since the new aerodynamic regulations were introduced in 2022, with his last win dating back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Last season was massively forgetful for Hamilton, who was defeated by George Russell in the Drivers’ Championship.
In doing so, Russell became just the third team-mate of Hamilton’s to ever achieve that feat, joining an exclusive club with Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Thankfully, for Hamilton’s sake, 2023 has been a more settled campaign for the 38-year-old, who is 75 points ahead of Russell in the Drivers’ Championship.
Hamilton is also closing in on Sergio Perez, in what could become a fight for second in the Drivers’ Championship.
Mercedes are also currently fighting for P2 in the Constructors’ Championship, with them boasting a 20-point lead over Ferrari.
However, fighting for P2 isn’t where Hamilton nor Mercedes want to be.
The Silver Arrows are desperately trying to figure out how they can return to the top next season, by collecting as much data as possible to help the development of their 2024 car.
Given the amount of work the Germans are doing, Hamilton is confident that they will return to the top, something he admits will be his “greatest triumph” if they pull it off.
“We’ll be coming back. We can do it,” Hamilton told Swiss publication Blick.
“The next step to the top podium will come. And it will probably be my greatest triumph in my career.
“I hope that the amount of data we have collected so far this year will have an impact on the new car.
“That is the hope of the entire Mercedes team in both factories. We all have to always believe in our goals. And never give up.”
Having signed a new two-year deal, Hamilton has at least until the end of 2025 to get Mercedes back on top.
READ: ‘Impossible’ for Red Bull to keep Sergio Perez in 2024
This does mean he’ll compete into his 40s, something was previously against.
However, he is so in love with racing that he’s not ready to stop, although he admits that there are times where he’d rather not be in the car.
“It has become a love-hate story,” he said. “There are days when I would prefer not to get into the cockpit.”