Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton admits experiencing self-doubt throughout 'difficult' 2023 F1 season

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he went through a spell of self-doubt during the 2023 Formula One season.

The Mercedes driver had to watch on as Max Verstappen cruised to a third consecutive world title while Red Bull also sauntered to the 2023 Constructors' Championship.

Hamilton ended his season with a ninth-placed finish in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last week which also helped Mercedes finish three points ahead of Ferrari in the constructor standings.

Seven-time champion Hamilton came third in the driver standings but admitted that he started doubting his ability during the campaign.

"Ultimately when you have difficult seasons like this, there are always going to be moments when you're like: 'Is it me, or is it the car? Do you still have it? Has it gone?,' he told BBC Sport.

"Because you're missing that, you know...when the magic happens, when everything comes together, the car and you, and that spark, it's extraordinary. And that's what you're in the search for.

"I'm only human. If anyone in the world tells you they don't have those things, they're in denial. We're all human beings."

The 38-year-old also had to deny recent claims from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner that he made contact with the team earlier this year over a potential move.

Hamilton signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes in August which will see him continue his career behind the wheel past the age of 40, and he says he is excited for the future despite the pressure on him.

"What you've got to learn is you should never say never," he added.

"But at that point, I definitely didn't think I'd be continuing. They are frickin' long seasons. It's a long time away from everyone. I've been doing it 16 years. It's gruelling.

"There's a lot of glitz and glamour and lots of positives but it's by no means easy to stay at your best, to stay committed, to keep up the training, to continue to deliver. It's a lot of pressure.

"You're being scrutinised all the time and I'm in a place in my life where there's no way I can win.

"If I win a race, it's: 'Oh, he's a seven-time world champion, you got 103 wins.' If I don't do well, it's [criticism]…I can only lose at this point in life. So for sure there was a period of time when I was questioning whether I wanted to go through that.

"I still love driving. I still love getting into the car. When they start the car up and you have all those people around you, the crew, you go down the pit lane, I still get this smile on my face the same as I did the first day I drove."

Hamilton also says Mercedes didn't have a "North Star" at the start of the year to show them what they "need to work towards", but hopes they do now.

"I do believe we have a North Star now. Which I don't think we've had for two years. But still getting there is not a straight line.

"And there were just certain things, decisions that have been made, that just left you blocked at the end of a road, and you can't do anything because of the cost cap and all these different things.

"I think we understand the car so much better. They have developed great tools in the background. So, naturally, I'm hopeful. But I'm not going to hold my breath."

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