Lewis Hamilton, the renowned Mercedes driver and co-owner of the Denver Broncos, made a notable appearance at an NBA match this month donning the Broncos’ throwback jersey. This followed his ownership involvement with the Broncos in 2022 as part of the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group. The high-profile moment occurred during the Western Conference game between the Clippers and the Nuggets, drawing attention from Formula 1 enthusiasts on social media.
In a previous season, Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, faced challenges with Mercedes’ performance. The team secured only one victory in 2022, with George Russell claiming pole position in Brazil, and failed to win any races in the entire 2023 campaign. Hamilton attributed some of the struggles to issues with the W14, specifically its floor design affecting downforce.
Expressing optimism for the upcoming 2024 F1 season, Hamilton discussed the prospects of the new car, the W15, emphasizing his confidence in the team’s capabilities despite not being directly involved in the design process. He anticipates improvements and competitiveness, with a belief in a more favorable outcome for Mercedes. Team principal Toto Wolff also hinted at significant changes for the W15 compared to its predecessor, the W14.
Owner @LewisHamilton rocking the throwback at #DENvsLAC 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kZK8GCCdFi
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 10, 2023
Despite the challenges faced in recent seasons, Mercedes secured second place in the Constructors’ standings for 2023, narrowly leading Ferrari by three points. In the Drivers’ standings, Hamilton finished third, trailing behind Red Bull’s dominance led by Max Verstappen. The expectations for the upcoming season remain high, with Hamilton expressing hope for a more competitive performance and faith in the team’s efforts to address the shortcomings of the W14.