Hamilton delivers F1 praise over key ‘goal’
Lewis Hamilton has expressed optimism that the Formula 1 competition order will remain consistent following recent efforts to tighten the field. After several years of dominance by Red Bull, the F1 landscape has seen a significant shift in competitiveness over the past few races, with multiple teams now vying for victories. Hamilton praised the sport’s progress in leveling the playing field, something he believes Formula 1 had aimed for when implementing the current set of technical regulations.
Red Bull, which dominated the 2022 and 2023 seasons, started the current campaign strong but has seen a decline in performance in recent races. In contrast, teams like McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari have surged, securing wins across the last eight races. McLaren has led this resurgence, winning four races, while Mercedes has claimed three victories, and Ferrari added another win to its tally.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, noted that F1’s decision to introduce new technical regulations was aimed at reducing the dominance of a single team, as seen with Red Bull. However, he admitted that such efforts often take time to bear fruit. Now, with the recent changes in the pecking order, he believes that Formula 1 has finally achieved its goal of increasing competition among the teams.
Speaking to the media, Hamilton described the current competitive atmosphere as “amazing” and how Formula 1 “should be.” He emphasized that this level of close racing was the intended outcome when the rule changes were introduced, even though it usually takes longer for the field to even out. For him, the past few races have been a refreshing change from Red Bull’s previous dominance.
One of the most remarkable developments has been McLaren’s rise to prominence. After struggling for several seasons, the British team has returned to the forefront of F1, taking the lead in the Constructors’ Championship with six races remaining in the season. Hamilton expressed his admiration for McLaren’s resurgence, remarking on how impressive it is for the team to have made such a dramatic turnaround.
Ferrari’s recent victory in Italy and Mercedes’ own successes have also contributed to this newfound balance in the sport. Hamilton hopes that the competitiveness seen across these teams will continue in the upcoming races and that Formula 1 remains in this phase where no single team dominates the entire field.
As the 2024 season continues, Hamilton remains hopeful that the current level of competitiveness will persist. He believes it is crucial for the sport to maintain this momentum, not just for the teams but also for the fans, who thrive on the unpredictability of races where any team has a chance to win. For Hamilton, this kind of racing is what makes Formula 1 exciting and ensures that the sport continues to grow and evolve.
In conclusion, Hamilton is optimistic that the competitive order will remain steady in the future. With teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes challenging Red Bull, the championship battle has become more intense, making for a thrilling season and setting the stage for even more exciting races to come.