Mercedes ‘hold emergency meeting’ at their factory after Lewis Hamilton’s criticism over new car
Mercedes ‘holds emergency meeting’ at its factory… with team technical director Mike Elliott receiving an ‘ultimatum’ after Lewis Hamilton’s criticism of new car
- Lewis Hamilton battled to compete in the 2023 season-opening GP
- The Briton was sixth and almost a minute down on race winner Max Verstappen.
- Tensions have flared in the Mercedes camp and a late meeting has been called.
Tensions have flared within the Mercedes camp, with the team’s technical director Mike Elliott receiving an ‘ultimatum’ after a disappointing start to the 2023 season, according to reports.
The seven-time world champion started the new Formula One season disappointingly, placing only fifth in Bahrain and well below runaway winner Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
Hamilton was furious after the race and took out his frustrations. As a result, Mercedes decided to hold an emergency team meeting at its factory late at night, according to reports.
Mercedes is said to have discussed their issues in depth, while the team’s technical director was given an ultimatum as they planned the 2023 season recall, according to formula1a.one.
Hamilton’s comments after the first Grand Prix of the season are believed to have sparked the discussion that took place at the Mercedes home.
Tensions have flared within the Mercedes field, with team technical director Mike Elliott (above) receiving an ‘ultimatum’
Mercedes endured a difficult start to the 2023 Formula 1 season with its new W14 car
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (above) started the new Formula One season in disappointing fashion, finishing only fifth in Bahrain.
Speaking directly after the Bahrain race, Hamilton told the BBC: “Last year, I told you about the problems the car had. I’ve driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn’t need.
“And I think it’s really about accountability, it’s about acknowledging and saying yes, you know what, we didn’t listen to you, it’s not where it belongs and we have to work.”
Mercedes was under pressure to perform at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix after a disappointing 2022 season.
His campaign last year was plagued by porpoise problems and engineers at Brackley and Brixworth were hoping the W14 would see Mercedes return to the front of the grid.
However, Hamilton and George Russell struggled to compete in the new car, with the seven-time world champion only managing fifth place at the Bahrain GP.
Hamilton’s comments after the race struck fear into the Mercedes team and they are said to have held a late-night meeting at his factory in Brackley to discuss the issues.
According to Formu1a.uno, the pressure is mounting on the team’s technical director, Elliott, and he has reportedly been given an ‘ultimatum’.
However, Toto Wolff insisted that there were no problems within the team directly after the race in Bahrain.
He said: ‘The Lewis situation is you heard it on the radio. He’s an integral part of the team, lifting the team up and we all stick together and I don’t think that’s going to change just because we got off to a really bad start.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen and Red Bull won the opening Grand Prix of the 2023 season.
As a result, Mercedes held a late-night meeting at the team’s factory to discuss their problems.
‘We have won eight constructors’ championships and six drivers’ championships with him and that relationship continues.
“As much as we’re transparent about how we need to turn the car around, it’s not the point to talk about the driver’s situation in 2024.”
It’s too soon, we have to push everyone in the same direction, the drivers, the engineers, the whole management instead of throwing in the towel. We have never done that and we will not.
“We just have to dig deeper and deeper than we have and provide both drivers with a car they can fight with.”