Lewis Hamilton has spoken of his sadness at seeing his former team McLaren Honda Formula 1 Team struggling at the back of the grid.
The Brit does believe, however, that a return to form is more a matter of when rather than if.
During his time at the team between 2007 and 2012, Hamilton achieved his first drivers’ title (2008), which is also McLaren’s last championship success.
The team currently sit bottom of the table, having achieved zero points during the first four races of the season.
“They have a place in my heart, I was with them for so long so it’s definitely sad to see such a great team not be at the top,” he said.
“Often there are things out of our control and then there are often things that are in our control that are set from decisions, ultimately, groups or individuals make those decisions. They are now I think trying to make steps and decisions and move the team in the right direction.”
McLaren has recently undergone some drastic restructuring, most notably the departure of Ron Dennis. The now-Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team driver hopes that these changes prove beneficial but do not cost the team their identity in the long-term.
“They’ve had changes in management and all sorts of things, but the most important thing for me is that McLaren don’t lose the core heart and soul of what the team was all about from when I loved them, before I joined them and when I was racing with them,” he added.
“I really hope that they find their way back to fighting ways, because it would be great. They’ve not won a race since I left, but I think they can do as soon as they figure out their power unit situation and also their car, I think they can globally move forwards.”
