Jenson Button confident about Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming season
In 2022, Hamilton experienced the worst season of his career, as the W13 failed to secure him a single victory. However, Jenson Button predicts that his former teammate will be back competing for top positions right from the start of the 2023 season.
There have been much fewer discussions this year than last season about a possible retirement of Lewis Hamilton. Button suspects that a car unable to compete for victory is the reason why many Formula 1 drivers might end their careers.
« It’s something that we all experience at some point in our career, and it’s a reason why many drivers retire. They’re no longer in a winning car, and that’s also why I left. You think to yourself, ‘You know what, I’ve had enough. I want to get out.’ » he declared to Sky Sports F1.
The former 2009 world champion claims that despite his disappointing 2022 season, Hamilton will be able to fight for victories in 2023: Mercedes has given him a winning car for many years. Last year, they didn’t, but the car still won a race. So, you can say that they were still strong and I believe Lewis was on top of it. His performances have been very consistent throughout the mid-season. Very, very quickly, I think he will start this year off in style. He will be on top of things right from the beginning. So, I can’t wait to see that. It will put a lot of pressure on George Russell at Mercedes, but I think they make a good duo. I’m excited to see this battle.
A battle between three teams from the presentation of the single-seaters.
Button adds that the Mercedes car is the most beautiful car unveiled this winter, but he is surprised that there has not been a more significant change in the side pods. It’s strange about Mercedes because the car, I would say it’s the most beautiful car, but they might have to change the side pods. I’m surprised they didn’t do it, but they obviously believe in the style they currently have for the first races.
Furthermore, the former McLaren driver gives his thoughts on the other competitors for the World Championship. “Red Bull always comes out with a good car. I think they will be competitive,” Button said when talking about the favorites. As for the Italian team, Button is quite complimentary. “The Ferrari is beautiful. It’s very beautiful. It seems like they have worked on areas where they were weak and took risks in other areas,” he said. Button sees a three-way battle in F1 for the upcoming season, a sentiment shared by the seven-time world champion Hamilton, who expects a highly contested 2023 season. “I can’t wait to fight at the front. We all hope that the three leading constructors will fight for the championship, right? And I think we’ll have it at some point during the season,” he said.
