Lewis Hamilton says he doesn't like driving a car that isn't great, but the seven-time world champion won't let a good challenge go wasted.
Mercedes missed the boat last year when Formula 1 ushered in its all-new technical regulations.
The Brackley squad had been the dominant force in F1 since the advent of the hybrid era in 2014, but its engineers opted for a radical aero design that proved as complex to understand as its ill effects were difficult to solve.
The team then carried over into 2023 its zero-sidepod concept, against Hamilton's recommendations, and while Mercedes' performance of late has improved, its W14's is still no match for Red Bull's commanding RB19.
©Mercedes
For Hamilton, handling a troubled car is an ordeal, but he'll also do whatever it takes to raise its performance and make strides.
"I don’t like driving not great cars," the Mercedes driver told Fox.
"I don’t like driving a car that’s not the car that we weren’t meant to have but I love that challenge of ‘OK, what can I do with it?
"Wins are not possible right now, so what is the maximum we can get? Can we be a little cheeky and if fifth is the best we can get, can we get a fourth or a third?
"Just make sure we are consistent and fit and ready so when the car does all of a sudden switch on and it is the car you dreamed of having, you’re ready."
Hamilton is thus keeping his head down, battling it out in the trenches hoping to look up at one point to discover a blue sky and a path to that elusive record eighth title.
"I am ready to win a world championship," he said. "I have prepared the best way I can this year - the best I have ever prepared - and if the car comes correct tomorrow I will be ready to fight for the world championship but unfortunately that's not the case.
"I am working with everyone here and back at the factory to get there."
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