![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/lewis-hamilton-honest-about-mercedes-situation-with-f1-rival-max-verstappen-vulnerable/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_Lewis-Hamilton-Max-Verstappen-main-AP.png&description=Hamilton and his Mercedes team have, along with the rest of the grid, been unable to touch Verstappen and Red Bull this year, though that could change in the final rounds of the season Lewis Hamilton heaped praise upon his Mercedes team for the progress made this year despite still being some way off Red Bull. The Silver Arrows began the year miles away from their Formula 1 rivals in terms of car performance. And Red Bull remain far ahead of Mercedes and everyone else on the grid with a 100 per cent win record for the season still intact. But even though Hamilton's team still cannot compete with the runaway leaders, their performance gains have been noticeable. Relative to their other rivals closer to them, namely Ferrari and Aston Martin, Mercedes have jumped from being probably fourth fastest on the grid to being second in the pecking order. And the seven-time world champion took the time to acknowledge all the effort that has gone into making that happen so far. "I've been incredibly proud of everybody. Everyone has been working insanely hard. We've been making big steps," he said. "I think the biggest step we took was when we got to Monaco and the car has really progressed a lot since then. We have a better understanding of where to position the car. It's been a lot more consistent – podiums, top-five finishes – which has been great. And, generally, we've been getting solid, great reliability. So, there's lots and lots of good bits." But he knows that, if his team is to hold on to second in the championship, there is more work to be done. Hamilton added: "I don't know how much developing people will be doing in the second part of the season, but I think there will be movement. The new football season is nearly upon us and with 500 live games to watch, as well access to Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL and the NBA across eight dedicated channels, Sky Sports is the only way to watch all the action. Get Sky Sports from £22 a month "I don't know what happened to Aston){kind=link}
Hamilton and his Mercedes team have, along with the rest of the grid, been unable to touch Verstappen and Red Bull this year, though that could change in the final rounds of the season
Lewis Hamilton heaped praise upon his Mercedes team for the progress made this year despite still being some way off Red Bull.
The Silver Arrows began the year miles away from their Formula 1 rivals in terms of car performance. And Red Bull remain far ahead of Mercedes and everyone else on the grid with a 100 per cent win record for the season still intact.
But even though Hamilton’s team still cannot compete with the runaway leaders, their performance gains have been noticeable. Relative to their other rivals closer to them, namely Ferrari and Aston Martin, Mercedes have jumped from being probably fourth fastest on the grid to being second in the pecking order.
And the seven-time world champion took the time to acknowledge all the effort that has gone into making that happen so far. “I’ve been incredibly proud of everybody. Everyone has been working insanely hard. We’ve been making big steps,” he said.