In the round-up: Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes can build on the improvements they made throughout last season when they embark on their 2023 campaign.
In brief
Hamilton has “great hope” for 2023 after strong end to season
Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes can build on the improvements they made throughout last season when they embark on their 2023 campaign.
He endured his first ever winless season last year in Mercedes’ uncompetitive W13 chassis. However following a poor start to the year the team became regular contenders for podium finishes and took a single win, courtesy of Hamilton’s team mate George Russell, in Brazil.
Hamilton said that gives him hope 2023 will be better for the team. “I know how hard it is to be at the top and to stay there,” he told Bild. “We want to get back to the top.
“What gives us great hope is the end of this season. The last few races have shown a clear positive trend and prove that with perseverance we can achieve anything.”
The seven-times world title winner added he is keen to bow out of the sport as champion. “I think retiring as a world champion is a dream that every athlete has – and so do I.”
Schwartzman fastest in IndyCar Sebring test
Ferrari junior driver Robert Shwartzman was fastest of four drivers in a private IndyCar test around the Sebring short course on Wednesday.
Driving with Chip Ganassi, Shwartzman was quicker than Dayle Coyne’s Sting Ray Robb, Chip Ganassi’s Kyffin Simpson and Penske’s Dane Cameron.
“Overall, it was very positive, very productive,” Shwartzman told Racer. “I was very curious to get to know the car. I’m very happy that my expectations were beaten. As for the physical and driving style, it’s a quite nice car to drive.”
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On this day in motorsport
- 55 years ago today Chris Amon won the non-championship New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukukohe for Ferrari after Jim Clark’s Lotus hit engine trouble
