The pre-season testing is done and now the world of Formula 1 waits impatiently waits for the first test of the season in Bahrain. However, more than the fans it’s the drivers that are excited to get back to racing. There are three rookies that will track to the track in 2023. Although apart from the rookies, veterans like Lewis Hamilton are also excited about the new season. In fact, the Brit recently shared his appreciation for being a part of the premier class.

Despite heading into his 16th season in Formula 1, the privilege of racing in the pinnacle of motorsport is not on the Mercedes man. It is an unexpected admission for a seasoned driver like Hamilton. However, the Brit made this admission regardless after being in awe of the 2023 Mercedes challenger, the W14. The car which the Brackley-based outfit designed with some inspiration from the past.

Hamilton made his admission at the unveiling of the W14 to the media including the hosts of the podcast The Fast and the Curious. With a child-like sincerity, Hamilton said, “I’m one of two people that get to drive [the W14] the only thing you can compare it to is like Nasa… only a couple people get to go in the shuttle that thousands of people work on to build right? It’s so unique!”

Despite spending countless years in the sport and seven world championship titles, the Mercedes man is still starstruck. If this doesn’t showcase the Brit’s appreciation toward the sport, nothing else will.

Read More: Lewis Hamilton & Co’s Bluff Called Out After a Disappointing Start in Bahrain Triggers a Concerning Response

However, as much as the Brit is loving the W14, he is distraught with various teams regarding the approach toward the 2023 challenger.

Lewis Hamilton makes an idealistic admission towards the approach for the W14

We are all aware of the Red Bull RB18’s superiority over the competition in 2022. The team won an unprecedented 17 races in 22 in the previous season. This made various teams take design “inspiration” from the RB18. An approach Hamilton did not approve of.

Speaking to the media at the W14 unveiling, Hamilton said, “Of course, you can see that some of the cars are approaching what a Red Bull might look like. I don’t think we’ve ever been a team that copied other people. We’ve always had our own minds and have always been a team that’s incredibly creative and innovative and likes to do it our way. And I think that’s worked in the past.”

Not only sticking to their guns but also putting faith in their fellow man is the Mercedes way. Hamilton made that clear in his statement.

WATCH THIS STORY: Lewis Hamilton Sounds Off the Alarm Bells for Mercedes F1

However, one can be forgiven for gaining a competitive advantage by mimicking the best. This is what some teams are doing. However, Mercedes is sticking to the concepts of the troubled W13 but with significant evolution.

It will be interesting to see if this approach plays in Mercedes and Hamilton’s favor.