Hamilton doesn't want to start on 2023 car yet: 'Understand W13 first'

Lewis Hamilton believes that Mercedes still needs to work on the current car. The W13 leaves much to be desired, but the seven-time champion believes the German team should first know why the car is not working as it should.

Monaco was a drama

Hamilton had a disappointing Monaco Grand Prix. The Briton crossed the line in eighth place after being stuck behind a slow-moving Fernando Alonso for the entire second part of the race. Hamilton also had to deal with extreme road holding problems.

"I pray that the car is not like it was in Monaco," quotes Nextgen-Auto.com Hamilton when asked about the next Grand Prix in Azerbaijan. "It was the worst moment I have experienced in this car so far," Hamilton continues. The W13 has always had problems with porpoising, but the bumps in the streets of Monaco may have exacerbated this effect. Hamilton himself says that he is not sure if it is related to porpoising, as it was not as severe during the weekend in Spain.

Shifting focus to 2023?

Winning the world title seems an impossible task for Hamilton after seven Grands Prix in 2022. In the paddock, it is therefore increasingly suggested that Mercedes should think about the new 2023 car. Hamilton is not yet in favour of the idea of shifting all focus now to next season's car.

"I think we have to find out what’s wrong with this car before we can make another one," Hamilton reveals. The Briton says that it is important to understand the current car so that the team knows what path to take. In addition, the Mercedes driver hopes for a lot of adjustments in the 2023 car.