Lewis Hamilton had a tough 2023 season, but the seven-time world champion has adjusted his goals for the following season.
Lewis Hamilton had a tough 2023 season, but the seven-time world champion has moved on. Lewis Hamilton claims that the ‘fantasy’ of returning to the top step of the podium is keeping him motivated ahead of the 2024 Formula One season. Despite finishing on the podium on six different occasions, the renowned Mercedes driver experienced a second consecutive winless campaign.
The seven-time world champion finished the year as the best of the rest in the Drivers’ Championship standings, finishing third behind the Red Bull duo of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez with a race to spare after a season-long battle with historic rival Fernando Alonso.
Despite his remarkable consistency, 2023 was a disastrous year for both Hamilton and Mercedes. The Silver Arrows finished second in the Constructors’ Championship, but failed to win a Grand Prix for the first time since 2012, snapping a nearly decade-long winning streak.
When asked what was motivating him ahead of the new season, Hamilton said, “It’s the dream of standing on the top step, seeing your team.” One of the most fantastic things is being able to glance back and see the national flag rising behind you, as well as seeing the squad.
“I remember the first win I had with this team. I have a particular picture of 2015 in Australia with the [team] down there in tears – it was just amazing to be a part of that. The power of that is a huge part of the drive. Winning the world championship is a huge part of the drive.
Mercedes-Benz is facing a critical winter of development after originally doubling down on the ‘zeropod’ design concept, which was first tested with the German automakers’ 2022 rival, the W13. Morale has understandably plummeted inside the organization following such a challenging period.
“I think people who are watching don’t appreciate (that) for everyone, they are away from their homes and their families for so long, missing special dates with kids and all sorts,” Hamilton said. “You see people’s energy levels fluctuate and try to fill voids when there are any, and vice versa.” That is what a group does.”
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