Hamilton's Work Ethic "unchanged" Despite Strong 2022

Mercedes technical director Mike Elliott says Lewis Hamilton is still pushing the team as hard as ever, despite his weak 2022 campaign.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton has been at Mercedes since 2013 and has won all but one title with the team.

But Mercedes face their first season without scoring since 2011. After eight consecutive years as the Constructors’ Championship, the team is now four Grands Prix away from successfully defending the crown.

Hamilton and his new team-mate George Russell are in the running to finish the season as runners-up. However, their chances of winning the tournament this year have passed early.

Still, Elliott said despite the team’s unexpected drop in performance, “Both of our drivers were brilliant.” “We didn’t give them the car they needed to fight and it was difficult to win races every weekend and fight for championships, especially for seven-time world champion Lewis not to be in that position.”

In the year Failure to succeed in 2022 has made no significant difference to Hamilton’s approach, Elliott says. “Louis pushes the team. He does a great job of giving us feedback. He works really hard.

“His work ethic has not changed this year. He’s here tonight, working with us, trying to get the best out of the car and I think that encourages other people in the team to see the input they’re putting in.

Hamilton has also been rallying his troops at the team’s Brackley base. “Lewis spoke to the factory maybe two weeks ago, he went up and spoke to them and he was brilliant,” Elliott explained.

“I guess that’s what you expect from a character like Lewis: to really lead, to really bring energy to the team. I think that’s what we need going into a tough winter.”

Elliott praised Russell’s contributions in his first season after being promoted from Williams. “He’s working hard with the team,” he said.

“The best part is watching it grow,” he said. “To sit on the table with a seven-time world champion and bring your contribution must have been difficult at first, but I think George has had a big role in the team and I think he is doing a good job,” he said.

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