After winning eight consecutive constructors’ titles, the Mercedes team has had many problems in the change of era of Formula 1 with the regulations that brought back the ground effect in single-seaters. Those from Brackley , from the start of the campaign, were unable to keep up with Red Bull and Ferrari, the only candidates for victory in 2022 .
Although the German team has managed to develop their car and improve handling and porpoising in the W13, they are still far from the leaders. After a season suffering and not meeting expectations, they will need a big leap forward to fine-tune their 2023 machine.
One of its drivers, Lewis Hamilton, acknowledged that he is doing everything on his part to try to keep the factory team motivated and ready to make the W14 [name yet to be confirmed] next year: “I have to try to keep encouraging everyone the world, to make sure that we leave no stone unturned so that next year we arrive and can fight for the positions we deserve”.
“I think what we always have to remember is that this is a team, there are people who have been here for more than 20 years and have won eight titles since I’ve been here, even more before,” he continued. “They know how to build a car that will fight for the world championship. For me, it’s just about supporting them in the best possible way.”
The British driver believes Mercedes can manage its problems well enough to create a top car next season , saying he has “no doubt” they will have a better car in 2023.
“I think we know what the setbacks of this car are,” explained the seven-time champion. “I think that we, as a team, have not gone from being world champions to not being able to make a good car.”
“I have no doubt that next year we will have a better car. Whether or not we have corrected all the problems we have, we will know when we get to [2023],” said the Englishman.
In the absence of four appointments for the end of this course, Mercedes arrives in Austin with 387 points , 67 behind the second classified, Ferrari, and well above their immediate pursuers, Alpine and McLaren, which means that they have practically guaranteed third place in the constructors’ championship, a place they have never finished in their history.
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