Effectively writing off the 2023 season, Lewis Hamilton admits that Mercedes best hope is for the Red Bulls, Ferraris and even Aston Martins not to finish.

The Briton was speaking at today's FIA press conference, just days after he claimed that the German team failed to listen to his advice regarding the W14's predecessor, and two weeks after Toto Wolff admitted that Mercedes effectively has to return to the drawing board.

Admitting that the W14 is around 1.5s off the pace of the Red Bull, the seven-time world champion said: "Last year we were very draggy, we were struggling not only on the straights, but we had to take a much bigger wing and we were equalling if not losing in the corners as well. This year it's mostly through the corners. Down the streets we're quick, but on exits these guys have a lot of rear end through the majority of the corners.

"So, I think in the race they weren't pushing and I think they're a lot quicker than they even seemed," he continued. "We have it as them being a second and a half faster in the race per lap or something like that.

"We need these Red Bulls not to finish the race, the Ferraris not to finish the race, and maybe now the Aston Martins not to finish the race, for us to be winning at the moment," he laughed. "But that doesn't mean we can't catch them up."

Referring to his subsequent claim that the team hadn't listened to him in terms of the shortcomings of the W13 which were carried over, he said: "In hindsight, it wasn't necessarily the best choice of words.

"But of course, there are times where you're not in agreement with certain team members," he added. "What's important is that we continue to communicate, we continue to pull together, I still have 100% belief in this team."

As to the decision to continue with the controversial zero-sidepod concept, he said: "I knew that we weren't in the right place when you saw the car for the first time. It looked still so much different to those of our competitors and it's always nerve-racking in that moment.

"We've got to now start making some bold decisions," he admitted, "some big moves in order to close the gap to these guys.

"They (Red Bull) will run away with it most likely this year, unless Ferrari can probably stop them, but hopefully at some point during the year we are hopeful we might be able to close the gap.

"At that point, it'll be probably too late in terms of fighting for a championship, but we could still turn some heads."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by MVR, 17/03/2023 12:56

"Don't hear Russell complaining that loudly all the time, if at all. Russell beat him handily last year, in the same care. As did Nico a few years ago. Best driver when he has the best car and a weaker teammate. All he does is complain otherwise. I'm sure there are plenty of drivers on the grid who would beat him in equal machinery."

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2. Posted by kenji, 17/03/2023 8:23

"@ Defiant....as usual the Goat looking to dodge issues. According to one site [ ? ] Russell has come out publically and said that both he and Hamilton were fully aware of what direction Mercedes were heading with the '23 car and that they 'both agreed with it'. That certainly doesn't accord with Hamilton's version of events. Truth becomes more elusive by the hour."

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3. Posted by Defiant, 16/03/2023 17:54

"I know it's what we're all thinking and that may be right but...I think Lewis should go watch a few old Teflonso races because he NEVER gives up, it's a work ethic to emulate.

It aint over until it's over. So quit the waffling and get yourself in the engineering meetings and every allowed hour in the car to develop what you do have. Don't become a Nigel, go try be an Ayrton."

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We need others not to finish, admits Hamilton

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