F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Demands Changes - "It's Supposed To Level The Playing Field"
Lewis Hamilton has reflected on the sweeping influence of Max Verstappen and believes it's a stark reminder of his own dominance in F1 during the hybrid era. Echoing what the driver said at the time, the 7-time champion continues to argue that this level of dominance is not what fans want to see.
In 2022, Red Bull dashed ahead securing a double title, and their supremacy has only escalated in F1 2023 with an unbroken string of ten wins, even hinting at an unprecedented unbeaten season.
Mercedes, on the other hand, find themselves scrabbling alongside Aston Martin, Ferrari, and McLaren, all battling for the chance to challenge Red Bull’s reign but not being able to match the incredibly potent RB19 of Adrian Newey design.
Talking to Channel 4, the driver admitted that he saw his initial quote taken out of context:
“I saw all the things that that spiraled into,” he said. “And they’re like ‘you didn’t say anything when you were…’
“The truth is, it’s something we’ve been talking [about], we’d had conversations and we’ve been talking about it even when we were having our dominance.
“I remember when there were times we had really good battles with Ferrari, and then I remember times where we had a chunk of a gap, and for me, that wasn’t really…
“Of course I wanted to be at the front and I wanted to be fighting, but having a half-a-second gap to the car behind, it doesn’t really feel…you wanted to have close racing, that’s what racing is all about.
“So I think they changed the rules, put this budget cap in, it’s supposed to level the field and it hasn’t done that. So, all I’m saying is we just have to continue to have the conversation.
“At the moment, if we keep things the way they are, maybe it’ll be Ferrari next to have several years of dominance and then it will be someone else, maybe McLaren will be or maybe Mercedes will be back and again.
“But I think that’s not what’s best for the fans ultimately. And even if we end up having we’re not getting back to the front end, all I’m talking about is we shouldn’t be able to have dominance for multiple years.
“It’s got to be tough, it’s got to be closer for us all and I think that’s what will make it more exciting for the fans.
“Just from a fan point of view, of growing up watching the grand prix, I don’t think anybody wants to see the period that I had, the period that Michael [Schumacher] had, the period [Sebastian] Vettel had and now Max will be having.”
While Hamilton boasts a record 103 race wins during his time in Formula 1, the reigning champion Max Verstappen only has 43 under his belt as of the British Grand Prix. But with Red Bull dominance looking to continue into next year with the team already looking ahead and, if rumours are to be believed, starting development on the RB20, it won't be long until the Dutch driver is edging towards that record.
If Red Bull are really able to win every race of this season - and that's a big ask even with their current dominance - the FIA will have to step in.