Lewis Hamilton believes there is enough "potential" in the Mercedes W13 Formula 1 car to win Grands Prix in the second half of the season. The eight-time Constructors' Champions have struggled badly in the 2022 campaign, as the new design for the ground effect regulations was far off the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari – who have shared the 13 race wins between them. Hamilton and new Mercedes team-mate George Russell have been affected by porpoising for large chunks of the season, leaving them unable to fight for race wins. However, the team have enjoyed a resurgence in form over recent weeks, including double podiums in France and Hungary – with Russell taking a maiden F1 pole position at the Hungaroring. Seven-time Drivers' Champion Hamilton now reckons the team are in a position to fight for victories again, once the season resumes in Belgium after the summer break.
Hamilton believes wins are possible with the W13
Hamilton, winner of 103 Grands Prix as of Hungary in 2022, is the only F1 driver to have won at least one race in every season he has competed – stretching back to 2007. His last win came in the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after contact with title rival Max Verstappen mid-race. It meant the two headed to the Abu Dhabi finale level on points, with the Dutchman winning both the race and title for Red Bull. Since then, Hamilton's best results have been a pair of second place finishes in France and Hungary as he looks to keep his proud winning record intact. Speaking in Budapest to former McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen and Viaplay , Hamilton shared his belief that winning in 2022 is possible. "I honestly think there is potential to win races, and I'm hoping that they [Mercedes] find something that just brings us that little bit of extra downforce without bouncing. [That's] been tough for the team to achieve, but no one's given up on it," explained Hamilton. "There's a lot of pride in everyone's work as it should be, but I really do hope by the end of the year, we're able to get get a win. I truly believe we will get a win this year. "One win is not enough for us in terms of what we work for, but it will hopefully be in good stead for next year. "I think right now when I'm talking to the team, I'm like, 'Hey, this is what I don't want next year and this is what I need next year and in this car'. And so, I'm trying to help steer them to make sure that they provide us with that next year."
Hamilton warns Mercedes against stubbornness
The least successful season in terms of wins in Hamilton's career was his first with Mercedes back in 2013 – claiming only a single victory in Hungary, one of eight he's collected in Budapest. While Mercedes have improved their performance of late, Hamilton also issued a warning to the team against complacency and stubbornness with their 2023 design. "I think, fundamentally, we have to acknowledge that the others [Red Bull and Ferrari] have done a better job. And whichever kind of philosophy they've taken has worked well for them," he added. "We have to be conscious of that moving forward. We can't be stubborn and say, 'No, our way is definitely the way and it will eventually work', because we could wait for years for that. And we have to be quick. "We have to be concise. We have to be humble in our approach, which I think we will be. "That's the conversations [happening] in the background."
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