Hamilton earns his first podium of 2023 at manic Melbourne
F1 News
Lewis Hamilton earned his first podium since Brazil last year and his first of 2023, with a well-managed, sensible drive at a hectic Australian Grand Prix.
After multiple restarts, including two standing starts and three red flags, Hamilton kept his composure through all the delays and incidents and was able to keep his Mercedes out of danger throughout the 58 laps, and was extremely happy over the radio at the races' conclusion.
The Briton started from P3 on the grid, in what was an improved showing for him and the Silver Arrows over the weekend at Albert Park, with teammate George Russell qualifying in P2, but he was forced to retire with a power unit issue.
Improvements
"I've had the best week here this week.”, said a rejuvenated Hamilton, speaking to David Coulthard.
“This track, this town continues to put on a great show. Unlucky for George today, our reliability has genuinely been really good so that's really unfortunate. It's amazing to get those points, I didn't expect to be second so extremely grateful for it."
The 38-year-old was able to take the lead for a couple of laps after the second red flag restart, but he was unable to keep the rapid Red Bull and eventual race winner Max Verstappen behind him, with lots of complaints throughout about a struggle to get to grips with the had tyre.
"I still feel uncomfortable in the car, I don't feel connected to it. I am driving as best I can with the disconnect and I'm working as hard as I can to create the connect. Considering we've been down on performance, clearly down on straight pace to the Red Bulls, it's amazing to be up here fighting with Aston at this point of the season. We can close the gap, it'll be tough but not impossible."