Former F1 driver rates 'vintage' Hamilton season: He doesn't care about third

Former F1 driver Karen Chandhok believes Lewis Hamilton had a "vintage" 2023 season, after managing to clinch third in the Drivers' Championship.

The Mercedes driver improved after struggling in 2022 with the troubled W13, which caused him to finish sixth in the championship.

Despite not taking a race win throughout the year, Hamilton did manage to take his first pole since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Hungary.

Chandhok highlighted some of his favourite moments from the seven-time World Champion throughout the season.

"I think it was a solid year. A year where he had great drives, Mexico was a very strong performance, Spain he had a strong run to the podium," he told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

"There was some very, very strong vintage Lewis Hamilton drives where he just delivered the maximum potential.

In contrast you've got races like Qatar, poor qualifying in Miami, then sort of went off the boil a bit in the last three weekends.

"In Brazil the team collectively had a shocker, but in Vegas, Abu Dhabi he just sort of went away a bit."

Chadhok: Can Mercedes deliver next year?

Hamilton stood a chance of taking second away from an underperforming Sergio Perez in the championship, after finishing on the podium six times.

But the Mexican managed to seal the historic one-two for Red Bull after a disappointing weekend for Mercedes in Brazil.

Even though it could be considered a success for Hamilton after another tough season, Chandhok believes he will not care too much about the overall result.

"On a whole a solid season for Lewis, but he doesn't care about finishing third in the championship," said Chandhok.

"I think if you asked him how many times he finished third in the championship, he probably wouldn't know. He exists to win.

"For me, the biggest question going into next season is what will Mercedes deliver for the drivers?

"I still maintain they've got the best driver lineup in F1 and they have done ever since they signed George. As a neutral, the whole world want to see them fighting against Max and Ferrari for the World Championship."