Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton Discloses What Mercedes Told Him After He Complained About the W14 Car

• Mercedes-AMG have been plagued by a number of issues since the switch to the ground effect era
• The German constructor are without a Formula 1 race win since the Sao Paulo Grand Prix of 2022
• Lewis Hamilton has disclosed a response he received after complaining about the team’s vehicle

The past few years have proven tumultuous for Mercedes-AMG in Formula 1, following the seismic shift from the hybrid era to the ground effect era in 2022.

Despite reigning supreme in the sport between 2014 and 2021, clinching over 100 race victories and eight consecutive constructors' titles, the German outfit has struggled to adapt to the demands of the sport's latest chapter.

The Brackley-based team have grappled with a slew of reliability issues, much to the frustration of drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Both have not hesitated to voice their discontent with the team's performance.

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Hamilton, renowned for his unwavering support of the team's mechanics and engineers, has been particularly vocal about areas needing improvement.

The seven-time champion has even taken a keen interest in studying the cars of rivals like Red Bull Racing and its sister team, Visa Cash App RB (VCARB), in hopes of guiding his team back to its winning ways.

However, amid the downturn in form the Silver Arrows are experiencing, Hamilton has disclosed a response he received when he complained about the performance of the W14 car.

Hamilton discusses W14 complaint

The 39-year-old, as reported by Fastest Pitstop, disclosed that he had raised concerns about the team’s car design, but his complaints were dismissed.

"I remember expressing my concerns to the team, saying, 'We need to make these changes, or this is the path we'll continue on, and this is where we'll end up. Please, please do something about it'."

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"I remember they responded, 'We know what we're doing, you're mistaken'. And that was definitely an interesting moment. I thought, 'Okay, I'll step back. I don't want to overstep.'

"But as the season progressed, we revisited the issue, and they said, 'Maybe you were right'."

The Mercedes driver emphasised that the team's steep decline has been disheartening, leaving him unable to envision what victory feels like anymore. He has not won a race since his last victory at the Jeddah Circuit in 2021.

Earlier this month, the British driver announced his move to Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season.

Verstappen sets unprecedented lap time in Bahrain

Sports Brief also previously reported on Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen setting a new lap time during the pre-season testing at the Bahrain Circuit.

The 26-year-old completed a lap in an astonishing time of 1:32.548, seven-tenths ahead of the nearest challenger, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.