Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes didn’t listen to his concerns over 2023 car

Lewis Hamilton feels Mercedes did not take heed to him when he questioned their idea automobile for 2023; Toto Wolff says ‘drastic’ modifications will come as their idea automobile will not reside as much as rivals; watch the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sky Sports activities F1 from March 17-19

Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes ignored him over the event of this season’s Method 1 automobile after he raised “points” with the idea.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton completed fifth within the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, greater than 50 seconds behind winner Max Verstappen.

It was a sobering end result for Hamilton, who complained earlier than the race that Mercedes had been on the “incorrect monitor” and “both third or fourth”.

“Final yr there have been issues I instructed them. I stated the problems which can be with the automobile,” Hamilton instructed BBC Radio 5 Reside’s Checkered Flag podcast on Wednesday.

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Come aboard with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso as the previous teammates clashed on the Bahrain Grand Prix.

“I’ve pushed so many automobiles in my life. I do know what a automobile wants. I do know what a automobile does not want. I believe it is actually about accountability.

“It is about admitting and saying, ‘Yeah, you recognize what? We did not take heed to you. It is not the place it must be and now we have to work.

“We’ve got to take a look at the stability within the corners, have a look at all of the weak spots and stick collectively as a staff. That is what we’re doing.

“We’re nonetheless (a number of) world champions, you recognize? We simply did not make it this time. We did not make it final yr. However that does not imply we won’t do it proper. sooner or later.”

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Lewis Hamilton believes he acquired probably the most out of his Mercedes by ending fifth and he agrees they should enhance their efficiency if they’re to problem ahead.

Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff has stated in Bahrain that the Silver Arrows, who received eight consecutive constructors’ championships earlier than final season, should abandon their controversial zero pontoon idea to be able to meet the problem.

A lot of the grid adopted the design philosophy pioneered by Crimson Bull final yr when Verstappen dominated – and Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell has predicted the Dutchman’s staff will win all 23 races This yr.

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Toto Wolff says the staff had one of many “worst days of racing” after Mercedes completed fifth and seventh on the Bahrain Grand Prix.

“One of many worst days in racing,” complained Wolff Sky Sports activities F1.

“Actually not good in any respect, we simply lacked tempo up entrance, proper and centre.

“Crimson Bull is simply on a unique planet. That is what hurts as a result of they’re up to now forward, it jogs my memory of our greatest years as a result of we simply put a second on everybody.

“It is the benchmark and now we have to take one step at a time to come back again and we will try this. We are able to, completely we will.

“I believe he must be much more radical within the levels than hoping for a three-tenths improve.”

Sky Sports activities Information has contacted Mercedes for remark.

And after?

The 2023 Method 1 season continues with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on the game’s quickest city monitor in Jeddah.

The motion is reside on Sky Sports activities F1 from March 17-19, with Sunday’s race at 5pm.