Lewis Hamilton posts 'crucial' message as Mercedes change tack in Red Bull chase

13 July 2023 , 19:19

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Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team are working flat out to get back into a title fight (Image: HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

Lewis Hamilton shared some of his work to keep himself in peak physical condition as he gears up to take the fight to Red Bull.

So far this season, Mercedes have again been off the pace of the runaway leader. However, since their new aerodynamic approach was first introduced in Monaco at the end of May, their performances have been more promising.

Hamilton has finished on the podium in three of the last four races and is in the hunt to finish second in the championship. And his team has risen above Aston Martin to establish a 22-point buffer in the fight to be runner-up in the constructors' standings.

Since the start of last year, Hamilton's mission has been to maximise what he can get out of his car at each race weekend. And, on Thursday, he shared his insights on his preparation to do exactly that in a social media post.

"In my sport, every kilo matters," wrote the seven-time world champion. "Even being a little off impacts lap times and race pace. It's crucial to eat well, sleep well, and put in work at the gym.

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"If you're ever having a tough time remember that we're in this together. It's never easy, but always worth it." Accompanying those words of wisdom were several photos of the F1 star working out while topless.

While second place is very much there to be taken and the gap to leaders Red Bull is closing, Mercedes know a title fight this year is already out of the question. With that in mind, team principal Toto Wolff has already admitted his focus is moving now onto the 2024 season.

He said: "I have always believed we can beat Max [Verstappen]. We have a good group of people, the best drivers, and we just have to give them a car that is more predictable and not the diva 2.0 – and much more complicated than the first one.

"P2, P3 [in the championship], fundamentally doesn't impact me and the team. It's about coming back and being able to win a world championship and, in that respect, that's not going to happen this year.

"So we need to set our eyes on to next year, and with all the races to come, to learn, develop and make sure that we can carry that forward into next year. But having said that, the regulations are the same so you're not learning nothing by continuing with this car. It's a balance that we need to strike right."

Daniel Moxon