Hamilton says Mercedes didn't listen to him about 2023 car

©Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton says he told Mercedes last year about the issues impacting its car's performance and made clear what he did not want to see on its 2023 challenger, but the team didn't listen to him.

Progress late last season in the wake of Mercedes' chronic porpoising issues led to the team's single win of 2022, courtesy of George Russell in Brazil.

But this year, dark clouds are hovering once again over the Brackely squad which was comprehensively outpaced by its main rivals Red Bull and Ferrari in Bahrain, but also by Aston Martin.

At the root of the issues impacting Mercedes' new-spec W14 is the car's crucial lack of downforce that disrupts its balance and causes tyre degradation.

From the outset of the car's design and Mercedes' decision to retain its zero sidepod concept, Hamilton told his team that they were on the wrong track.

"Last year, there were things I told them. I said the issues that are with the car," Hamilton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Chequered Flag podcast.

"I've driven so many cars in my life so I know what a car needs. I know what a car doesn't need. I think it's really about accountability.

Read also:

Wolff: Mercedes must urgently decide 'which car' to develop

"It's about owning up and saying, 'Yeah, you know what? We didn't listen to you. It's not where it needs to be and we've got to work'," he said.

"We've got to look into the balance through the corners, look at all the weak points, and just huddle up as a team. That's what we do."

Last week in Bahrain, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff finally acknowledged its car's failed concept, and the necessity to push forward with radical changes.

While the damage is done, Hamilton believes the championship winning outfit can and will get its act together.

"We're still multi world champions, you know?" he said.

"It's just we haven't got it right this time. We didn't get it right last year. But that doesn't mean we can't get it right moving forwards."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.