Lewis Hamilton openly expressed his anticipation for the departure of the W14, Mercedes’ 2023 contender, which has significantly lagged behind Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s formidable pace at the front of the grid. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, hasn’t clinched a race victory since 2021 and had to endure his first winless season in 2022. As he prepares for the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo, he finds himself starting from the fifth position on the grid.
Lewis Hamilton openly confessed that he is eagerly “counting down the days” until he can bid farewell to the W14, Mercedes’ 2023 car, which has failed to secure a race victory.
At the beginning of the year, the eight-time constructors’ champions raised eyebrows in the paddock by unveiling their latest challenger, which retained the unconventional ‘zero-sidepod’ design that had resulted in a lower position on the grid in 2022.
The Brackley-based team has once again grappled with consistency this season, struggling to match the blistering pace established by Max Verstappen and Red Bull at the front of the grid.
Despite making design modifications throughout the year that led to some performance improvements, Hamilton couldn’t hide his frustration following a perplexing Brazilian GP Sprint. In the race, he rapidly lost grip and ultimately had to settle for seventh place, as he was overtaken by Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri.
“It was horrible. It was not enjoyable whatsoever,” Hamilton told Sky Sports, after the Sprint. “I was just fighting the car from very early on.”
“The last couple of races we’ve been excited that we’re progressing, and it’s been really positive to see.”
“And you come to another track and then you have the worst deg that you’ve had for ages. So it’s like you just don’t know what to expect with this one.”
“But only a couple more races with this car and it’s gone, and I’ll be happy. This year, you’re just counting down the days, trying to enjoy every day as you can.”
George Russell encountered comparable difficulties during the 24-lap showdown at the renowned Interlagos circuit. The 25-year-old began the race in fourth position and executed an impressive start, overtaking Sergio Perez at the start and seizing an opportunity to pass Lando Norris during the opening lap to secure second place.
Nevertheless, his pace waned, and he ultimately finished the race in fourth position.
