Lewis Hamilton says the W13 was “a car that we didn’t want”

© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

Lewis Hamilton says he hopes “that the struggles this year really provide us with the tools and the strength to fight for many more championships moving forward”.

After suffering a DNF due to a suspected hydraulic issue, Lewis Hamilton was asked if the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was an apt summary of his season.

“Yeah, it really was,” the Briton said.

“Ultimately, I think we started with a car that we didn’t want and we finished with a car that we didn’t want but we were basically stuck with it.

“We kept trundling way, kept working away at improving it, but I think the fundamentals have still been there until the end, as you saw this weekend.

“It’s been more of a team building exercise this year and I’m very, very proud of everybody… Whilst we’re not celebrating a World Championship, we’ll be celebrating them still for their hard work and efforts.

“I hope that the struggles this year really provide us with the tools and the strength to fight for many more championships moving forward.”

Lewis then explained what happened with his car after going over the sausage kerb, following his battle with Carlos Sainz on Lap 1 of the race.


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“We have a bib under the seat, right under the floor, and it took a big hit… and when that happens you just lose a bit of performance.

“The balance kind of shifted forwards because it felt like I had all of a sudden loads more wing on, and I was struggling with the car being quite oversteery.

“Once I had the pit stop, we took a bunch of wing out and it managed to be rebalanced. There was definitely some sort of loss but… I got back on the pace.”

The Briton also added he is looking forward to the winter break.

“I think right now I just, I’m not looking forward to another year or anything like that.

“I’m looking forward to putting now my energy into my family, and to just getting back and seeing the family, I haven’t seen them for a while.

“And yeah, just relaxing, being healthy, staying positive…” said Hamilton.

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