Since the implementation of new technical regulations, Lewis Hamilton has faced challenges at Mercedes, but he is now back on track to win.
According to former IndyCar driver and F1 analyst James Hinchcliffe, Lewis Hamilton is getting “rewarded” for the time he spent tinkering with Mercedes’ setups during the previous two seasons.
Following the implementation of new technical restrictions in 2022, Mercedes struggled with performance and only recently has it improved to the point where it is consistently in the lead.
With the exception of Max Verstappen, Hamilton is the only racer to have won multiple grand prix in the season’s first 14 events.
In an effort to give Mercedes a better understanding of the car, the seven-time world champion was known to make drastic setup adjustments over the past few years. Hinchcliffe feels he is now benefiting from these changes.
“Hammerliffe told F1.com that Hamilton has won two victories in the first half of the year, second only to Verstappen in terms of amount of wins, after two winless seasons (remarkably, the first in his F1 career).
“And even though he trails colleague George Russell eight to six in the qualifying head-to-head, he actually starts a few spaces higher on average.
“Hamilton has been rewarded for his years of trying out unconventional setups and steering the team’s development direction finally has a machine that allows him to remind the world why he’s one of the best drivers to have ever driven in Formula 1 as the team starts to get a handle on the tricky W15.”
Hamilton received recognition for his degree of drive.
This current season is Hamilton’s last with Mercedes before he leaves to join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari for an extended period of time.
Hinchcliffe gave Hamilton credit for staying driven to perform in spite of the possibility that his seismic switch to the Italian team will be detrimental to him.
“The seven-time champion entered the current season under peculiar circumstances, having previously declared his intention to join Ferrari at the end of the current year,” he continued.
“It would almost make sense if he was counting down the days until his employment with Mercedes ended and his motivation had somewhat decreased. Nearly.
“However, that isn’t how Hamilton works or how he wishes to conclude the most successful team/driver combination in Formula 1 history.”
