Lewis Hamilton asserts that no Formula 1 team should have the opportunity to dominate the sport for a prolonged period.
There has only been a single title fight contested between two separate teams down to the final race since the switch to six-cylinder turbo-hybrid engines in 2014.
That came in 2021 when Mercedes and Red Bull went head-to-head, with the Constructors’ title going to the German marque but Max Verstappen beating Hamilton to the Drivers’ crown.
Prior to that, Mercedes enjoyed an unprecedented run of seven consecutive title doubles, while Red Bull has aced the latest technical regulations introduced last year.
The Austrian outfit’s advantage has enabled it to remain unbeaten across the 2023 campaign, with Verstappen winning the past eight races to open up a comprehensive 125-point advantage in the standings.
Hamilton, whose Mercedes side sits second in the Constructors’ Championship, believes it is wrong that Red Bull will likely dominate up until the rules are reset in 2026.
“If we continue like this, maybe Ferrari will dominate in the next few years, or maybe McLaren will, or maybe Mercedes will get back in front, but I think this is not the best thing for the fans,” Hamilton told Channel 4.
“We shouldn’t have the chance to dominate for a large number of years, the battle for the top positions should be closer.
“Unfortunately, however, Red Bull could seriously dominate even in the next three seasons.”
Red Bull is aiming to achieve a feat that Mercedes never managed during its own dominant cycle: win every single grand prix across an entire F1 season.
The 2023 season continues next weekend with the Dutch Grand Prix, where Verstappen will have the chance to achieve a record-equalling ninth consecutive win.
Red Bull has already broken the record for the most wins in a row by a team, breaking McLaren’s tally from the 1988 season with its 12th straight victory in Hungary.
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has already disclosed his side is working on the RB19’s successor amid its comfortable margin at the summit of both standings.
The Milton-Keynes-based squad are already condemned to receiving the least aerodynamic testing time of any team on the grid due to its status as World Champions.
However, that figure has been reduced still by the penalty it received last year for breaking the cost cap regulations in 2021.
That’s a good thought. Why don’t you begin by returning a few championship trophies of the dominant era.
Hypocrite
Yeah, right. LH wasn’t saying anything close to that the 8 years Merc was dominating.
Oh he was – just not what you think 😉
https://youtube.com/shorts/pz2dKtAavN0?feature=share
@Lewis Hamilton is a typical definition of a HYPOCRITE. When Mercedes dominated for Seven (7) long years, he never complained at all. He is a very selfish and self centered individual. He can’t bear the pain of seeing the youngsters dominating him. A bad loser he is. He has been on this for so long and it’s boring now. Stop being a “Cry Adult” and get on with it.
What a bald-faced hypocrite!
Hypocrisy of this guy is staggering……so when Lewis wins it is great but when he sucks….no one should dominate right?….shameless
ofc that’s true, but from him…., hypocrite.
Hamilton of all people dears to say this, hypocrite 2.0
Any room for self reflection is lost on him.
Look who is talking? Let MASSA start the ball rolling. What a hypocrite?
What a dickhead – Merc dominated and he said nothing. Now Red Bull have had a good run and he is bitching. What a turkey!!!!
LH is like a little boy who’s lost his bag of sweets. He is quite happy to keep all his titles, including the one that should have gone to Felipe, but when he’s not winning he wants the rules changing. Don’t remember Michael complaining when he moved to Mercedes
Typical winging from LH. Has he conveniently forgotten the 7 years Mercedes dominated the sport