Lewis Hamilton has explained how he is trying to "ignore the negatives" and take inspiration from those around him at Mercedes after a difficult start to the 2022 campaign. Having challenged Max Verstappen for the 2021 world title, Hamilton found himself in an off-the-pace Mercedes for the start of Formula 1's rules reset, with Ferrari and Red Bull stealing a march on the rest of the field. Meanwhile, Hamilton is also facing a stern challenge from new teammate George Russell, who sits two places and 23 points ahead of the seven-time World Champion after the first five races.
Hamilton drawing inspiration from the team around him
Over the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton was asked who he is taking inspiration from amid these early-season struggles. "I wouldn't say there was one individual during this time that I'm focused on," Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365.com . "I look all around me and I've tried to ignore the negatives that I've seen; I'm not really watching the news a lot. "There are so many inspiring characters out there and I think just continuously proving that you never give up, you keep pushing... "I love working with this team. Being in a team is such a privilege, working with so many people towards a common goal, and [with] everyone lifting each other up."
Hamilton: Future F1 success will taste even better
Hamilton recently took to social media with a defiant message that he is working on his "masterpiece" and "I'll be the one to decide when it's finished". This followed on from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko claiming Hamilton might be thinking he should have retired at the end of last season, and Mika Hakkinen's suggestion that he would be looking to switch teams. But Hamilton pointed to some "amazing conversations" within the Mercedes camp as they pull together to keep spirits up. "It's incredible how supportive everyone has been through these difficult times, and we've had the most incredible times together," he commented. "A couple of bad races is not going to stop us in our tracks. This is where we unite, this is where we learn more about ourselves as individuals, this is where we grow the most. "It makes that eventual success - which I have no doubts we will eventually get to - taste even better."
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