Lewis Hamilton reveals AMBITIOUS Mercedes target for second half of 2023

Lewis Hamilton

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Hamilton reveals AMBITIOUS Mercedes target for second half of 2023

Lewis Hamilton has opened up on Mercedes' plans to catch Red Bull

Matthew Hobkinson Lead Editor

F1 Editor & Journalist

Friday 28 July 2023 08:42

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Lewis Hamilton has admitted that finishing in second would 'mean a lot' for Mercedes in their fight to catch up to Red Bull, after he revealed that winning a Formula 1 race this year looked increasingly unlikely.

Hamilton's last win in F1 came back in December 2021, as he claimed victory in Saudi Arabia. Max Verstappen, of course, would have the last laugh that year, winning his maiden world title a week later in Abu Dhabi.

Since then, both Mercedes and Hamilton have been second best to Red Bull. Having failed to beat Verstappen on track this year, the seven-time world champion has now admitted that he has add to taper his expectations.

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Hamilton focusing on second place

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have been long-term rivals in F1

"My focus is on getting second, which would mean a lot for the team," he said. "Catching up with Red Bull bit by bit would be nice, because that puts us in a better position for next year."

When probed further as to whether Mercedes can win a race before the end of the season, Hamilton, although refusing to rule the notion completely out of hand, acknowledged the difficulty of such a feat.

He said: "I'm not sure about that at the moment, especially in terms of race pace. Max was eight tenths faster per lap at the last race. Never say never."

Heading into the Belgian Grand Prix, Hamilton is fourth in the driver standings, 38 points behind Sergio Perez in P2.

Mercedes meanwhile currently find themselves in second in the constructors' championship, 39 points clear of Aston Martin in third.