Many assumed that 2023 will be the year of Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton. The German team looked strong after it got rid of the “porpoising” at the 2023 Bahrain testing. But after the shambolic display at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, even a podium seems out of reach. The performance has left the team praying for what can only be termed a “miracle”. The former Mercedes driver was quick to lash out at the Silver Arrows, questioning the design choice made by the team.

Mercedes finished P5 and P7 at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix. Both the Red bulls and the remaining Ferrari of Carlos Sainz finished ahead of them. To top it off, both the Aston Martin cars finished P3 and P6 ahead of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell respectively, rubbing salt into the deep wounds of the works team. This implemented that Mercedes are in the same circumstances if not worse compared to last season.

Former World Champion Nico Rosberg took the stage to attack his former team’s design choice, criticizing the car’s concept. The German was quick to point out Mercedes’ judgment to stick with the zero-pod design instead of developing a new one. He further explained that it isn’t just about changing the side pods but the whole car required changes. Mercedes doesn’t understand their car very well and will need a miracle to develop and attain performance from a new concept.

When questioned about Mercedes’ performance, Rosberg told motorsport.nextgen-auto.com “It’s a difficult situation, very difficult. Toto Wolff said that this concept would not go further. It’s a big statement. You have to take a step back this year and then start again with the new concept – to prepare for the new year already. I wouldn’t want to be in his place…”

He continued, “The problem is you can’t just put new side pods on it to make it work. The whole car is in a river. The whole car has to change. They have to find the miracle weapon and make great progress quickly, but they don’t really understand it themselves, their car, and that’s the hardest part. 

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This will be the second year running that Mercedes isn’t able to come up with a competitive car. Hamilton and Russell appeared to be disappointed after the race. Both of them are competitive drivers and expect no less than a Championship-winning car. Mercedes need to step up if they want to keep the drivers satisfied.

Does Mercedes have what it takes to keep Lewis Hamilton satisfied?

The 38-year-old is hungry for another world title after being robbed of one during the last laps of the 2021 FIA F1 championship. Lewis has recently shown resentment, as the team isn’t working on the feedback he is providing. On his best day, nobody can beat the seven-time world champion, but he needs a car that is at the very least competitive.

Hamilton runs out of contract at the end of 2023. If Mercedes fail to meet his expectation, every other team would try to sign the seven-time world champion. It is now on Mercedes to make him stay.

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Do you think Mercedes will be able to make a comeback this year?