Hamilton 'Confident' Mercedes Will Improve Their Car 'As Season Goes On'
F1Tuesday, 26 March 2024 at 12:00
Lewis Hamilton expressed confidence that Mercedes' development would take a step forward after the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
The 39-year-old's race around Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne didn't go as he had hoped. He had to retire just after 15 laps due to engine failure, and so the race was over for him.
The previous three races mark probably the worst start to the season the seven-time World Champion has had in his career. He told the media after the race:
"My race was going OK up until the point we suffered the Power Unit failure. It's quite tough to overtake here but we had gained some positions early on with the Soft tyre. It was unfortunate that we had to retire as there was still a long way to go."
"I was beginning to press on, but the Power Unit just stopped. These things happen and I know we will bounce back."
The Mercedes driver scored zero points in Australia. With only 8 points in total scored during the previous two races, he currently stands 10th in the Drivers's Championship, far behind Max Verstappen with 51 points and Charles Leclerc with 47 points.
The main reason for that might be that the Briton currently just doesn't have the car to match his rivals. However, he suggested that he believed his team could improve the car soon.
"We will also improve the car as the season goes on. We have done so in previous years, and I am confident we will do so again."
"It is tough that we are not as competitive as we would like at the moment, but we will keep working hard. I am focused on doing that with the team."
The next race of the season will take place in Japan. Mercedes couldn't match their rivals on this track in 2023, and Hamilton anticipates it will be the same in 2024. On the other hand, he still believes some potential in his car can be unlocked later.
"In the short term, I expect we will still find it difficult to challenge further up but we will see what we can do in the medium term,"
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