Hamilton appreciative of smaller F1 teams' efforts after Mercedes struggles

Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes' massively challenging 2022 campaign made him better appreciate the relentless efforts of F1's smaller teams to improve their fate.

Mercedes concluded its 2022 season as the third best team on the grid, but it was a tremendously difficult year for the Brackley squad whose crews worked tirelessly to overcome the porpoising and complex aerodynamic issues spawned by the team's W13 ground-effect design.

Improvements took hold in the latter part of the season, and even allowed George Russell to deliver to the team its single win of the year.

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But beyond Mercedes' own battle to improve its fortune, this season's campaign also made Hamilton much more aware of what the sport's smaller teams endure year in and year out.

"I felt this real appreciation for all these other teams that are trying to do the same thing, with the same intentions, trying to be better and fighting for something," Hamilton told Britain's Channel 4.

"Going through difficult times because they’ve built a car that’s clearly not capable of fighting at the front. It’s pretty cool to be a part of and to witness."

Hamilton admits that he always takes a key interest in the results of McLaren, the team where it all started for the seven-time F1 World Champion.

"I like looking at McLaren, I always check where they are because that was where I started and I’m always wishing them well even though they’re competitors of mine," he said.

"There’ll be days where they’re down and I feel sad for them because, again, that’s where I first did my simulation rounds, drove my car for the first time.

"I kinda want them to do well so I hope they have a better year next year."

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