Lewis Hamilton has voiced his concerns regarding the development of Mercedes’ Formula One car for the current season. The seven-time world champion said that he raised “issues” with the car’s concept, but his concerns were ignored by the team.

Hamilton finished in fifth place at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, trailing over 50 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen. He expressed his dissatisfaction before the race, stating that Mercedes was on the “wrong track” and would likely end up in “third or fourth” place.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Chequered Flag podcast on Wednesday, Hamilton revealed that he had given the team feedback on the car’s shortcomings last year. “I’ve driven so many cars in my life. I know what a car needs. I know what a car doesn’t need,” he said.

The champion driver emphasized the importance of accountability in the development process. “It’s about owning up and saying, ‘Yeah, you know what? We didn’t listen to you. It’s not where it needs to be, and we’ve got to work’,” he said. “We’ve got to look into the balance through the corners, look at all the weak points and just huddle up as a team. That’s what we do.”

Hamilton, however, remains optimistic that Mercedes can turn things around. “We’re still multiple world champions, you know? Just haven’t got it right this time. Didn’t get it right last year. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get it right moving forwards,” he said.

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the need for change, saying that the team would have to abandon their zero-sidepod concept to compete again. Last season, Red Bull’s Verstappen dominated the field with a similar design philosophy, which most of the grid has since followed.

Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell has predicted that Verstappen’s team will win all 23 races this year. The comment underscores the intense competition in Formula One this season, as teams scramble to improve their cars and close the gap with the frontrunners.

Leon Osamor