Lewis Hamilton sends fighting message as final F1 race of the season looms - 'Figure it out'
Lewis Hamilton has said Mercedes will work hard to 'figure it out' as they look to close Red Bull gap
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Lewis Hamilton has insisted Mercedes will work hard to 'figure things out' as they look to close the gap on Red Bull.
The Silver Arrows were once the sport's most-dominant side but, in recent years, have lagged behind their rivals.
Red Bull are unstoppable at present, with Max Verstappen securing an 18th win of the season at the Las Vegas Grand Prix over the weekend.
There are now fears they could continue to dominate, even after new rules come into play in 2026.
Lewis Hamilton failed to win the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix as Abu Dhabi looms
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Yet Hamilton, speaking to Sky Sports F1, has now claimed Mercedes will work hard to figure out a way to reel in Red Bull.
The one great thing about our team is, OK, maybe we started off with the wrong package, but it's a great team in terms of coming together and evolving and developing," the 38-year-old said.
"We are very, very good team in general in developing and trying to catch up, but it's just a very steep road from where we started.
"When we were winning world championships, we could stop early and start developing next year's car so we always had a head start.
"That's why I've been saying we should probably figure out a way to stop that so it continues to happen decade after decade.
"You've got Ferrari who won for such a period of time and then Mercedes.
"Now Red Bull have their period of time.
"They could be going until 2026 with this, they could be that far ahead, or maybe the other teams will figure it out.
"Hopefully, we will figure it out and close that gap.”
Hamilton has secured third in the standings for this season ahead of the final race in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
And he'll be eager to win in Abu Dhabi, having secured five triumphs in the Middle East over the years.
Verstappen will go into that event as the overwhelming favourite to reign supreme, however.
The Red Bull star has won the last three races in Abu Dhabi, moving level with Sebastian Vettel in the process.
Hamilton was livid when he failed to win the race in the country two years ago in the season finale.
Michael Masi's error meant Verstappen was crowned champion instead, with Hamilton denied a historic eighth F1 title as a result.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff recently revealed 'personal anger' of that scandal was fuelling his mission to make Hamilton a champion once again.
And the Austrian is looking forward to the race in Abu Dhabi now a 'proper director' is in place to oversee proceedings.
“I think we’re going there pretty much equal on points and we have a proper race director, so that should be fine," he said.
“Then let’s race. It’s all down to the last weekend.
"They are very quick and done a good job.
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Lewis Hamilton is keen to close the gap on fierce F1 rival Max Verstappen
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"I think we could have been on par [in Las Vegas]. But the result shows something different.
"To be honest, it’s good to have P2 as a positive to finish the season, but P2, P3 for me there is little… it doesn’t make me particularly cheerful anyway.”
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