Lewis Hamilton is confident that hard work over the winter will ensure both he and Mercedes will improve on a ‘difficult’ 2013 Formula One campaign next year.
The British 2008 world champion secured one victory – at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July – five poles and ended up in fourth place in the drivers’ standings in his debut campaign for Mercedes after leaving McLaren 12 months ago.
Hamilton and German team-mate Nico Rosberg’s performances were also enough to guide the team to a very creditable second place in the constructors’ standings behind runaway winners Red Bull.
However, with a first year out of the way and a car to be developed to his requirements, Hamilton expects a better personal and team performance next year, especially with Formula One facing its biggest rules change for many years.
He said: “This year’s car has been built for Nico, and developed with Michael [Schumacher], who drives differently to me. So it has been a really difficult season in terms of being able to extract the most from the car.
“Actually, it’s not been such a bad year given it has been my first and with a car I’ve not known.
“There are so many things I have been learning, with lots of problems throughout the season.
“Nico has been here from the first year, so the stuff I’m learning I’m sure is similar to what he was learning in the first year.
“So I’m hoping next year I have a much better understanding.”
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