Hamilton: Window closing for Mercedes to keep alive F1 streak

Lewis Hamilton has suggested that Mercedes could be in the fight at the front of the field during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, with only one other chance to win in 2023 afterwards.

Mercedes has not yet won a race this season with the only non-Red Bull victory coming in Singapore through Ferrari and Carlos Sainz in a season otherwise dominated by Max Verstappen with 15 wins from 18 races.

Last time out in the United States, Hamilton had strong pace throughout the Grand Prix and crossed the line in second place before he was disqualified for a technical infringement, as he looks to end his own personal win drought stretching back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

With just five races remaining in the campaign, the Brackley-based outfit has few chances left to ensure it doesn't emerge winless from a season for the first time since 2011 - with Hamilton backing Mexico and Brazil as the best chances to keep the record intact.

Hamilton rates Mexico and Brazil as Mercedes' best chance

“I definitely think it's always difficult to be able to say: 'Hey, it's going to be good here, it's going to be good there,'" he told media including RacingNews365.

"We have taken a step forward. And over these next four races, I can't predict which one we’re going to be closer or which one we may or may not be further away.

"I think we were close here last year. So hopefully we will be a little bit closer this weekend to really put in enough.

"If we get the strategy right this weekend maybe we can really take the fight to them."

Mercedes' only win during last year's campaign came in Brazil with George Russell besting Hamilton to the chequered flag.

"Then Brazil, it was a great circuit for us last year," Hamilton added. "f it turns out we're closer again there, that's two very strong races for us.

"When you go to Abu Dhabi, I think the gap gets bigger again. So it's these next two that I think we have our best chance."