Lewis Hamilton faced disappointment in the 2023 Grand Prix, falling short of victory. Despite this setback, the Mercedes driver secured a respectable third place in the Drivers’ Championship. Hamilton, however, remains focused on his ultimate objective—clinching his eighth World Championship. Toto Wolff expresses confidence in Hamilton achieving this milestone.
In recent weeks, Hamilton encountered challenges on the racetrack, notably missing out on a podium finish in Abu Dhabi. Wolff acknowledged the tough weekend for Hamilton but emphasized that it doesn’t diminish Hamilton’s standing as the world’s best driver. Wolff firmly believes that with the right car, Hamilton will vigorously contend for the world championship, expressing unwavering confidence in Hamilton’s abilities.
Wolff also acknowledges Mercedes’ subpar performance, attributing it to the limitations of the W14. He recognizes that even with a formidable F1 car, there are both good and bad weekends. Despite this, Wolff stresses the importance of providing Hamilton with a competitive car, asserting that when the opportunity arises, the true prowess of Hamilton comes to the forefront.
Additionally, Wolff accepts the reality that being the best team every year is an unattainable goal. Referring to a timeline at the Mercedes factory projecting team standings until 2050, Wolff acknowledges the inevitability of fluctuating results. Looking ahead, he anticipates future reflections on the team’s achievements, emphasizing that, from a macro perspective, the overall performance has been commendable, even if scrutinized on a micro level.