After the 2024 season, the successful Formula 1 marriage between record world champion Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, which began in 2013 and brought the Brit six of his seven driver titles in the premier motorsport class, will end. In view of these successes and the rather disappointing year of 2023, the tone that the veteran chose on the last day of testing in Bahrain is surprising.
“Overall it was a really good test. I’m really proud of everyone on the track and at the factory,” Lewis Hamilton is quoted as saying by Motorsportweek.
The 39-year-old only achieved the tenth best time on the asphalt, but he still believes his team is on the right track.
“Every single woman and man have worked tirelessly, both in Brackley, Brixworth and here in Bahrain. It is extremely encouraging and great to see everyone working so well together. The focus, determination and communication is the best, “I’ve ever seen,” says Hamilton, explaining his confidence.
Above all, the statement: “The best I have ever seen” is of course quite surprising coming from the mouth of a record world champion. After all, Hamilton has already worked with the majority of the absolute greats outside of the cockpit and knows what he’s talking about like no one else.
Hamilton believes the 2024 Formula 1 season will get off to a good start
At least it is this foundation that makes the future Ferrari driver believe that the tests have not yet revealed the full potential of his Mercedes.
“We know we still have a lot of work to do and are not yet where we want to be. However, we knew this would be the case at the start of testing. We have a great platform to build on,” said Hamilton. “We will get started over the next few days and work hard to go through all the data from the test.”
Nothing stands in the way of a good start to the season at the end of February.