F1: Lewis Hamilton says he plans to stay and fight at Mercedes

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Driver Lewis Hamilton arrives for a press conference at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 16, 2023, ahead of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix.

British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton arrives for a press conference at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 16, 2023, ahead of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE/AFP)

Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday he had no intention of leaving struggling Mercedes but admitted his choice of words created unnecessary problems for the team after the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Speaking ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, the seven-time champion made it clear that he had no desire to move to another team and was committed to staying with the former dominant champion.

“In hindsight, it’s probably not the best choice of words,” said Hamilton, referring to complaints that the team didn’t listen to him when reviewing his performance and car last year, when he won just one race.

“But no…There are, of course, you disagree with certain members of the team, but the important thing is that we keep communicating, we keep together.

“I still believe 100 percent in this team. Me and my family have been here for a long time, so I don’t want to go anywhere else.

“But we all need a kick. We all need to step up. And the proof is in the pudding.

“We have seen where the performance is and how people are extracting the performance and now we have to make some bold decisions, some big moves, in order to close the gap.”

Red Bull cruised to a one-two victory with world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in Bahrain where two-time champion Fernando Alonso, 41, made his debut for Mercedes-backed customer team Aston Martin by completing a charge. third.

“They [Red Bull] it’s likely to run this year unless Ferrari stops,” Hamilton said. “At some point this year, we hope to close the gap – but by then, it will probably be too late to fight for the championship.”

Hamilton finished fifth in Bahrain and last year completed the first season of his career without a race win.

His disappointment and comments after the race led to claims that he would go elsewhere in pursuit of an eighth title.

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