‘Double knock-on effect’ of Mercedes upgrade has renewed Hamilton’s confidence

Mercedes brought their last major upgrade of the year to last weekend’s United States Grand Prix in the shape of a modified floor, which the seven-time world champion says has transformed the balance of their 2023 challenger. 

Hamilton finished just two seconds behind Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in what was Mercedes’ best race of a difficult season, but was later disqualified after excessive plank wear was discovered on his car. 

“I’ve felt great from lap one on Friday and had a good recovery week and I felt solid in the car,” Hamilton said, prior to his disqualification. 

“And this is the first weekend that I’ve really felt the upgrades work. So I felt really positive, and incredibly grateful.

“I know how hard everyone’s working back to the factory so it’s nice to finally start to see the rewards of the hard work and to feel it in the car as well.

“I think this is definitely the most positive I’ve felt this year but in general it’s been not a terrible year.

“But yeah, just knowing the work that’s happening, I’m in constant contact with head of aero and the team back. I just feel like everyone’s really on their toes and really ready to go.

“There’s lots of things that we can improve on in terms of the processes and all of us, but I’m excited.

“I definitely believe that we’re going in the right direction.”

Hamilton added: “I think the step that we were able to take this weekend has given me a little bit more confidence in the car to throw it into the corner so it was positive. I really enjoyed driving around this track.

“There are still those fundamental issues that we’re having with the car, which won’t change till next year.

“But it was really positive, as I said, to feel that the steps that we have taken. Maybe it was only a 0.1 upgrade for example, but there was at least a 0.1 of confidence that it gave me so this helped me.

“So it’s quite interesting what you see when you do have those, it’s like a double knock-on effect.”

When asked if he feels a win is possible before the end of the season, Hamilton replied: “Yeah definitely.”