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However, at the Thursday press conference ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Brit conceded that it “wasn’t the best choice of words” to use, but reiterated the fact that “we all need a kick.”
“In hindsight, looking back it wasn’t the best choice of words”, said Hamilton.
“Of course, there are times where you’re not in agreement with certain team members, but what’s important is that we continue to communicate, we continue to pull together.
“I still have 100% belief in this team; it is my family and I’ve been here a long time, so I don’t plan on going anywhere else, but we all need a kick, we all need to get on.”
Hamilton said in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live that the team “didn’t listen” to him on what needed improving for 2023
Mercedes 1.5s off in race trim
Mercedes‘ problems were rooted in a shortfall in overall downforce compared to rivals in Bahrain. The W14 wasn’t as draggy on the straights compared to its predecessor and there were no signs of porpoising which plagued the German manufacturers campaign in 2022, however, the car suffered from a lack of rear grip which caused heavy amounts of rear tyre deg and left it vulnerable to a charging podium bound Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin.
“It’s not on the straights, I think last year we were very draggy, and we were struggling not only on the straights, we had a much bigger wing”, confirmed Hamilton when talking about where the W14 struggles compared to the RB19 and the difference between this and last year’s machine.
“But we were equalling it or if not losing in the corners whereas this year it’s mostly through the corners I think down the straights we’re quick.
“But [on] exits, these guys [Red Bull] have a lot of rear end through the majority of corners.
“I think in the race, they’re a lot quicker than they even seemed.
“But we have it as a second and a half faster in the race per lap. Something like that.”
After Mercedes’ struggles during the Bahrain Grand Prix the team have hinted at a change in design concept moving forward
Despite the dim outlook, the seven-time champion feels that Mercedes can begin to erode what is a big deficit to a team they were expecting to be fighting with later in the season.
“We’ve got to start making some bold decisions, some big moves in order to close the gap to these guys, otherwise they will run away with it, most likely, this year unless Ferrari can stop them, which we’ll wait and see,” said Hamilton.
“But as I said, hopefully at some point during the year we’re hopeful we might be able to close the gap, but at that point, it’ll probably be too late in terms of fighting for a championship, but we can still turn heads hopefully.”
He added: “You don’t all of a sudden lose the ability to build great cars, it’s just we’re not where we need to be and where we want to be, and we’ve just got to keep working on it.”
Photo: Formula One
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