Lewis Hamilton has candidly revealed his eagerness to take the wheel of the Red Bull RB19, a car that notably dominated the Formula 1 scene. Despite this enthusiasm, Hamilton underscores that achieving victories with Mercedes holds a more profound meaning for him.
The 38-year-old, experiencing only his second winless F1 season this year, witnessed Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s triumphant sweep throughout the season. Hamilton’s remarkable streak of winning at least one Grand Prix in each season since 2007 came to a halt, reflecting the challenges faced by Mercedes in 2023.
In a season marked by adversity, Hamilton secured only six podium finishes, including three second-place results, marking his lowest podium return since 2013. Mercedes grappled with struggles throughout the year, starting at a disadvantage with their persistence in a no-sidepod concept, a decision that wasn’t rectified until May. Despite these setbacks, Hamilton’s loyalty to Mercedes and his desire to triumph with the team add a poignant layer to his motorsport narrative, emphasizing the value he places on the journey with the Silver Arrows.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominated F1 as Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes struggled
In stark contrast, Red Bull asserted their dominance by clinching victory in all but one of the 22 Grand Prix races held in 2023. The only exception came at the hands of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who thwarted Red Bull’s bid for a perfect season by securing a win at the Singapore GP, skillfully navigating the challenges of the Marina Bay Circuit to triumph over competitors like Lando Norris.
Max Verstappen, the standout driver for Red Bull, achieved an astonishing feat by claiming victory in 19 out of the 22 Grand Prix races throughout the year. His teammate, Sergio Perez, managed to secure victory on two occasions. Verstappen’s remarkable performance included an unprecedented winning streak of 10 races, setting a new record for consecutive triumphs. Notably, he concluded the season with seven consecutive wins, marking the third-best run in Formula 1 history.
Prior to Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel in the 2013 season was the sole driver to have won more than seven Grand Prix races in a row. The likes of Nico Rosberg, Michael Schumacher, and Alberto Ascari had achieved seven successive wins as well, but Schumacher notably accomplished this feat within a single season. Verstappen’s exceptional achievements in the 2023 season stand as a testament to his unparalleled skill and Red Bull’s formidable presence in the world of Formula 1.
Lewis Hamilton admits that he ‘would love to’ drive the all-conquering Red Bull RB19
Lewis Hamilton’s career-best winning streak stands at just five consecutive Grand Prix victories, achieved during the 2014 and 2020 seasons. Notably, the seven-time world champion has now gone two full seasons without clinching a race victory, with his last podium moment occurring at the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP. Despite this hiatus from the top step, Hamilton’s desire for victory remains undiminished.
The British racing icon has openly expressed his admiration for the Red Bull RB19 and the prospect of driving it, acknowledging the allure of the dominant car. However, Hamilton asserts that winning in Red Bull’s formidable machine would pale in comparison to the satisfaction of securing victories with Mercedes. He places a profound value on contributing to the Silver Arrows’ resurgence, viewing it as a more meaningful way to solidify his enduring legacy in the world of Formula 1.
“Every driver here looks at the Red Bull car and would love to drive that car,” Hamilton said, via quotes from F1i.com. “I am not saying that I wouldn’t love to drive that car and feel how good it is. Every driver would feel that.
“We’ve had two difficult years and if we work towards beating that car, it is going to be a way better feeling than stepping into the best car.
“That wouldn’t do much for me, in the sense of stepping into the car that is the most dominant of all time. Working with my team to build and be able to beat them, that would be better for my legacy.”
