Hamilton defends Mercedes F1 progress since Monaco despite Red Bull margin

From testing in 2022 until May’s Monaco Grand Prix, Mercedes pioneered the use of its ‘zeropod’ car architecture. It then switched the W14 to run a downwash philosophy, as favoured by Red Bull, but with the addition of a ‘waterslide’ akin to that of McLaren and Aston Martin.

With the upgrade fitted, Hamilton led a 2-3 result in the following Spanish GP. But Mercedes had also enjoyed a Barcelona boost in 2022 when George Russell held on…