Lewis Hamilton has warned Mercedes’ Formula 1 rivals that the “game is up” after a “surge” in performance in recent races.
A front wing upgrade at Monaco gave Mercedes a stronger package, with George Russell taking pole positions in Canada and Britain and a win in Austria, while Hamilton ended a 945-day winless streak last time out at Silverstone.
For the first time in the ground effect era, Mercedes seems a regular contender for race wins, currently sitting fourth in the constructors’ standings, 74 points behind McLaren and 81 ahead of second-placed Ferrari.
Russell leads Hamilton 111-110 in the drivers’ standings and the seven-time champion is bullish heading into the Hungarian circuit, where he has eight wins and already holds pole position for 2023.
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have been major obstacles Mercedes has tried to overcome during their run of form and while Hamilton does not believe the Hungaroring will be a make-or-break race, he is keen to take on the challenge.
“I don’t think this race was the ultimate test. I think every weekend has been a test of sheer willpower and the tenacity of the team,” Hamilton told media. Racing News 365.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, that’s the key to our approach. But at the same time, there’s a feeling of, ‘Enough is enough, the game is on.’
“We’re going to fight, we’re going to chase, we’re going to try and get as many wins as we can, compete for as many wins as we can.”
“It could be that Red Bull or McLaren are still light years ahead this weekend, but who knows.”
“But what we’ve shown in the last few races is that determination, true focus and a dogged pursuit of perfection and improvement can make the difference.”
“We are united as a team and we want to finish the season in the best possible shape. If we can bring the team up in the constructors’ standings then we won’t be too far behind the drivers above us and that would be great.”
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2024 will be Hamilton’s final season with Mercedes before moving to Ferrari in 2025 but he remains as committed as ever to rebuilding the team and feels there is a “huge surge of energy” in Brackley’s mind as the team tries to regain its status.
“At the start of the year I was hoping to finish on a good note but I wasn’t sure if that would end up happening,” Hamilton added.
“I never thought I’d be competing for the win at this point in the season, but I’m very grateful that it happened and it’s a big encouragement for me.”
“I don’t think there’s been any morale loss from this team, but it’s tough for anybody to try and work and keep failing.
“It’s encouraging that both those here and those back at the factory are realising what’s possible and that their hard work is really starting to pay off.
“We’re seeing a great surge of energy and it’s permeating through us, so hopefully that will continue to show in the results.”
