Hamilton checked out the W15 in the wind tunnel and now has “full faith” in Mercedes F1.

Lewis Hamilton, who visited the Mercedes Formula 1 team at the end of the season and viewed the W15 for next year in the wind tunnel, expressed his “complete faith” in the team.

Before leaving for his winter break, Hamilton attended a last debriefing in 2023 on Thursday at the HPP engine division in Brixworth and the racing team in Brackley.

After the team finished second in the constructors’ championship despite a challenging season that featured no victories, he thinks the atmosphere in the camp is “positive.”

“I’ve been extremely busy,” Hamilton remarked prior to the FIA Prizegiving Gala on Friday. “Working with the team to tie up all the loose ends has been an incredibly demanding year.”

“I just wanted to thank everyone for the incredible work they’ve done this year while I was at the team yesterday. This is a unique time of year when you’re finishing off and planning our next steps.

“The mood is very positive,” he replied when asked about the atmosphere he had observed at the facility. Considering the difficulties we encountered this season, I believe that every member of the team is immensely appreciative of our placing second in the constructors’ championship. It’s always really emotional as a result.

Even though I’ve been a member of the team for a very long time, visiting Brixworth and Brackley serves as a constant reminder of how huge a team is behind you, pushing you ahead.

And you see each person here; some have been with the team since I’ve been here, some have been here much longer, and some have worked on my engine since my very first Formula One Grand Prix. Seeing the growth and progress alone is astounding.

Additionally, I am really happy to see that we are headed in the right direction, as our team is becoming more and more diversified.

Although he acknowledged that it was difficult to assess the team’s current status with the new vehicle, Hamilton made use of his visit to inquire about developments with the W15 for the next season.

He remarked, “I think it’s always difficult.” “I’m not a designer or an engineer. Thus, it’s not simple. This time of year is usually thrilling since I’ve seen the automobile in the wind tunnel. Whenever I visit the factory, I always pass by the wind tunnel to see the car change direction.

“I literally stopped by to check on us yesterday before leaving again, and when I return, it will be a whole different animal.

“I fully trust everyone who is putting effort into it. And I’m optimistic that by next year, we’ll be in a much more competitive position.”

Hamilton said that the 2023 season had been difficult, as the team had realized from the first outing with the W14 that it would not be a championship-winning vehicle.

“Every season has its ups and downs, and there were ups and downs,” he remarked.

“And from the minute we took to the wheel at Silverstone, we realized we probably wouldn’t be competing for a championship. After that, it was just a matter of refocusing, setting new objectives, and putting in the effort to catch up.”

“I find it really satisfying that not only did we not give up, but no member of the team did either. Everyone maintained their good attitude, and I found great encouragement in the way they all turned up.

“I believe that every day we learn something new about simply enjoying the present, each and every member of the team, and the outcomes we’re achieving. When we do, at last, get to stand on a podium, we may even value it more than before.

And [pole in] Budapest was, I believe, the standout track—a song I adore. And the fact that we were able to overthrow Red Bull for even a brief period of time gave us a great deal of faith that, with enough perseverance, we may succeed.