“[Red Bull] really raised the bar and we have a lot of work to close that gap. But I truly do believe that we can close that gap,” says Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes look to hit back from two difficult seasons in 2024

Lewis Hamilton has reiterated his “full faith” in Mercedes’ ability to build a more competitive car for 2024 when they will bid to challenge Red Bull’s Formula 1 dominance next season.

Mercedes and a number of their key F1 rivals have entered big off-seasons as they look to respond to the most dominant season in the sport’s history, produced by Max Verstappen and Red Bull

Hamilton visited Mercedes’ factories after the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP and, speaking in Baku at the FIA’s end-of-season prize-giving gala a day, the seven-time champion said: “It’s always the exciting time of the year because I have seen the car in the wind tunnel.

“I always go by the wind tunnel when I go to the factory and to see it evolving in whichever direction it ends up going.

“As soon as I was leaving, again I popped in just to see where we were and when I come back it’ll be again a different animal.

“But I have full faith in everyone that’s working on it and hopeful that we’ll be in a much more competitive position next year.”

Hamilton, who also strongly spoke out against the FIA’s short-lived investigation into Susie Wolff, was at the Baku ceremony after finishing third in this year’s championship behind the Red Bull drivers.

After accepting the third place-trophy on stage, he told the audience from around global motorsport: “I have to say a big congratulations to Red Bull and to Max and Checo. They’ve done an incredible job this year. Max was faultless.

“The team really raised the bar and we have a lot of work to close that gap. But I truly do believe that we can close that gap.

“And a big, big thank you to my team because they never gave up this year. We started off with the sister basically of the previous year’s car which was not good and not fun to drive for most of the year, but no one gave up.

“Everyone continued to show up every day and that was what was most inspiring for me.

F1 pre-season testing starts in Bahrain on February 21, with teams to launch their new cars in the days and weeks leading up to the first official running of 2024.

Throughout 2023, Mercedes was well aware of how far behind they were from Red Bull in terms of performance. However, it did not mean the Silver Arrows could not pose a challenge to Red Bull, and one of their strongest challenges came at the Hungarian GP. Having secured the pole position in qualifying, Lewis Hamilton believes it was Mercedes’ biggest positive of the season, as quoted by SoyMotor.

Qualifying a mere 0.011 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, the seven-time world champion could not find enough race pace to fend off a challenge from the Dutchman. In the end, Hamilton finished the race in 4th place while George Russell finished in 6th. Meanwhile, Verstappen ended up winning the race with a 33-second margin to second place. Sergio Perez took home the 3rd-place place trophy, closing out another successful week for the constructors’ champions.

Throughout the season, Mercedes tried their best to catch Red Bull on the tracks but would always end up falling short. Despite picking up multiple second-place finishes, the team could not find the killer blow to Verstappen’s dominance, owing largely to multiple inconsistencies with their car. As such, after two years of the current concept not working in their favor, the team decided to bin it and are now working on bringing an entirely new concept to their car for the 2024 season.

Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton eager to get back to winning ways

Having swapped roles with Mike Elliott back in 2021, James Allison re-took the position of Mercedes’ CTO in the second half of 2023. Under the leadership of Allison, the Silver Arrows won multiple constructors’ titles while Hamilton continued winning one drivers’ title after another. With nothing but resurgence on their minds, the Brackley-based team is working on bringing a new concept to the W15 under Allison’s able leadership.

Often facing porpoising and downforce issues or experiencing a severe lack of pace, the Silver Arrows decided to “change every component” on their W15. The change even includes how they laid out their chassis, the car’s weight distribution, and the airflow. Furthermore, a new and improved sidepods concept will add to the arsenal of the W15, with Allison recently claiming his team was working on an “ambitious project” for the 2024 season.

However, Mercedes knows they have a mountain to climb in their bid to defeat Red Bull and get back to winning ways. Furthermore, McLaren and Ferrari will also pose considerable threats to Mercedes, given their end-of-season resurgence. Hamilton has shown signs of confidence in his team for the 2024 season and believes they have a “north star” in the W15. As such, the Briton hopes they can be much more competitive than in the last two years, “But still getting there is not a straight line.”

Former Formula One world champion Jenson Button says his old teammate Lewis Hamilton needs “the right car” to return to the front of the grid next season with Red Bull favourites again to clean up in 2024. For the second year running, Mercedes driver Hamilton failed to win a grand prix as Max Verstappen won 19 of the 22 races with Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez taking two of the other three. “Red Bull are going to be at the front again next year,” Button told AFP.

“They had a strong car this year and they’ve been able to work on next year’s car.

“The thing is, if you just look at the results of the race, you go ‘Oh Max Verstappen won again’ but when you actually watch the races, there have been some amazing races this year.

“Max hasn’t had it all his own way. He’s come out on top in the end but there have been some great fights this season.

“I have enjoyed the year. Would I like more people winning? Yes of course. But it’s just not happened.”

Button, who has just announced a return to full-time racing in 2024 with the World Endurance Championship, knows a thing or two about domination having won six of the first seven races in 2009, a start that launched him to the title with Brawn.

And he has an admiration for the single-mindedness with which Verstappen set about his business.

“I think Max has done such an amazing job,” said Button.

“He’s not put a foot wrong. He’s obviously driving a good car, you don’t win without a good car, but you’ve just got to compare him to where his teammate was most races. It’s a big difference.

“Going into 2024, Red Bull are still the favourites but I think the other teams will be a bit closer.

“It’s not going to be easy to beat Max in a Red Bull if his head is in the right place.”

‘Definitely good enough’

One of those with realistic expectations of challenging Verstappen is seven-time champion Hamilton who will be 39 by the start of next season.

Can he legitimately expect to compete as he did in the thrilling and controversial 2021 title race?

“Lewis wouldn’t race if he didn’t think he wasn’t good enough,” says Button who shared a pit with Hamilton when they were both at McLaren.

“Lewis is definitely good enough to win races and to win a championship — with the right car.

“Coming up against Max is difficult but if Lewis is in a car that suits him and Max is in a car that suits him… I look forward to that fight.

“Hopefully we will see it before Lewis retires, he’s definitely got the ability to do that.”

Button, 43, will contest the full programme of eight races, including Le Mans, in the World Endurance Championship in the Hypercar category with Hertz Team JOTA driving a Porsche 963.

Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed ongoing discussions with Lewis Hamilton over the past two decades, and once again this year, hinting at the depth of Ferrari’s interest in the Formula 1 superstar. This news follows speculation about Hamilton’s future in the sport and his potential move to the iconic team from Mercedes.

• Contract Renewals and Future Plans: Ferrari is focusing on renewing the contracts of its current drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, with intentions to finalise these before the upcoming season. Despite the existing commitments, like all teams, Ferrari keeps an open eye on future opportunities.
• Speculation Around Verstappen and Hamilton: Vasseur addressed rumours about Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton potentially joining Ferrari. He humorously downplayed Verstappen’s chances due to a long-term contract with Red Bull and remarked on the longstanding, albeit informal, talks with Hamilton.
• Hamilton’s Ongoing Mercedes Commitment: Despite the long-standing conversations with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton recently renewed his contract with Mercedes, committing to stay with the team until at least the end of 2025, alongside teammate George Russell.

Fred Vasseur, who took the helm of Ferrari’s team management at the end of 2022, has been proactive in shaping the team’s future. With the contracts of Sainz and Leclerc nearing their end in 2024, Ferrari’s strategic planning is in full swing. Amidst this, Vasseur’s recent interview with Corriere Dello Sport shed light on various speculations and potential moves this off-season.

Notably, Vasseur spoke about the hypothetical scenario of having Max Verstappen as the leading driver for Ferrari, a topic sparked by previous comments from former Ferrari CEO Marchionne. Vasseur humorously mentioned Verstappen’s long-term commitment to Red Bull.

FIA Vs Wolff Fiasco

Previously, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) launched an investigation centered on the suspected conflict of interest between Toto and Susie Wolff. Reports said the probe stemmed from the alleged sharing of information by the couple with each other involving crucial data only they had access to in their posts as Mercedes F1 team principal and F1 Academy managing director, respectively.

After garnering too much heat from other F1 team principals and the overall F1 community, FIA immediately pulled the plug off its enquiry. However, it didn’t come without repercussions as Toto revealed that he is now in an “active legal exchange” with the organization. Pulling an “uno reverse” card on his former accuser, the Mercedes F1 boss is now the one demanding “full transparency” on the matter while implying a possible lawsuit should the body fail to provide a reasonable ground for its past move.

The ever-vocal Lewis Hamilton didn’t mince words in his statements featured on BBC Sport. He found FIA’s act as “disappointing” as it had “sought to question the integrity of one of the most incredible female leaders” they ever had in the sport. Hamilton found the claim to be unfair “without questioning [her], without any evidence”. The Mercedes F1 star driver didn’t mention his boss in his latest comments but it was also in clear defense of Toto if one reads between the lines.

Susie Wolff Makes It to the 2023 Marie Claire Power List

Amid the damning allegation, Susie Wolff became the recipient of the Marie Claire Power List for 2023. The distinction was an acknowledgment of her influential role in the F1 Academy.

The prestigious list puts Susie in line with former First Lady Michelle Obama. They are joined by other women who have made a mark in their respective fields in politics, sports, and entertainment.

Susie shared that her approach in a field dominated by men lies in her authenticity. She advised those who wanted to follow her footsteps to ignore the gender-related noise fade away and concentrate on performance instead.

Toto Wolff and Mercedes F1 Working on the W15

Toto seemed undeterred by the issues constantly thrown at him over the season, including the recent allegation of the FIA. After successfully landing a runner-up position in the 2023 Constructors Championship without winning a single race, his team has been very busy refining the Mercedes W15 car for next year.

Mercedes F1 remains mum on the nature of the upgrades for their upcoming contender but Toto promised a major overhaul coming their way. He hinted new configuration in the unit’s weight distribution and aerodynamics.

Meanwhile, James Allision referred to the incoming developments as “pretty ambitious” but declined to comment further. Analysts and industry insiders suggest Mercedes F1 may finally heed Hamilton’s recommendation regarding the repositioning of the cockpit and it may also introduce a new transmission inspired by the one used by Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton still believes an eighth World Championship is possible, but his Mercedes team faces huge challenges to catch Red Bull and Max Verstappen.

A one-two at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix lulled Mercedes into a false sense of security with its unique zero sidepod design, which it carried over to 2023’s W14.

Maybe, just maybe there was some goodness locked within the extreme concept that could make all the difference, but as soon as Lewis Hamilton drove it in February during a Silverstone shakedown, he knew the season was doomed.

“I remember it feeling exactly the same, and that definitely was not a great feeling. I really had high hopes,” the Briton explained.

“In February, when we do a download of where the car is going, I was a little more apprehensive, because the previous year it was like: ‘The car is amazing, it’s unique, no-one’s going to have anything like it.’ And then we get to the first test

“So, I was a little bit more cautious when I was listening, and I was like: ‘We will see,’ and then the car had all these problems. I just knew it was going to be a long year.”

A long year it was with just six podiums to his name, but this was a wasted year by Mercedes, one in which it seemed further away from Red Bull than ever and with drastic change going on behind the scenes, makes a simple bouncing back in 2024 virtually impossible.

The end of the season

There was genuine optimism after a floor upgrade at the United States Grand Prix that Mercedes had taken a tangible step forward after abandoning the zero sidepods in Monaco.

Hamilton took second on the road in both Sprint and Grand Prix – before his Sunday result was expunged for exceeding the plank wear, but he followed up with a strong drive to second next time out in Mexico City.

But from there, Mercedes’ season went into free-fall. Returning to Sao Paulo brought caution but the team was thumped as the W14 could not get to grips with Interlagos.

Slow-straight line speed killed chances of fighting for a podium, as Hamilton came home a lowly eighth, with George Russell retiring.

In Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, Hamilton was dumped in Q2, and recovered to seventh and ninth, respectively as Mercedes stumbled across the finish line to nab second in the Constructors’ from Ferrari.

Hamilton cut a resigned figure at Yas Marina, with a strong sense of him being there because he was contractually obliged to be instead of wanting to race.

After all, a 103-time Grand Prix winner and seven-time champion is not going to get revved up fighting for scraps and the odd podium. Hamilton is a winner.

Mercedes problems

It must also be said that this is not the Mercedes team of the glory years.

Put aside the car performance, this is not a team operating at the same level as it was in terms of trackside operations and back in the factory.

Firstly, there were a handful of instances in 2023 where Hamilton and Russell came across one another on track, including in qualifying in Spain where the latter knocked off some of the former’s front-wing.

This was put down to a miscommunication by the team, which over the course of a season, can be expected. No team will ever be faultless operationally at every race.

But then it happened again in Belgium and the race in Japan, although contact was avoided on these occasions.

After the Nico Rosberg heat had been removed from the equation, Mercedes settled down and aside from Valtteri Bottas being told to cede position every so often, Mercedes was sharp with its trackside operations.

Sure there was the odd strategy blunder, but again, that’s to be expected and the idea is to keep that to a minimum of one per season.

Mercedes was making mistakes it simply never did in its heyday – with key senior figures also leaving.

F1 fans were left frustrated after Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff claimed that Lewis Hamilton is “still the best driver on the grid”.

The seven-time world champion has not won a race in two years, with his last victory coming at the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP. Since the start of the new regulations in 2022, Hamilton and Mercedes have struggled to challenge Max Verstappen and Red Bull for race wins and championships.

Speaking to the media, including RaceFans, Wolff said that he has “no doubt” that Lewis Hamilton would fight for the title if they provide him the car. He said:

F1 fans took to social media to give their reactions, with one claiming that Wolff made a “PR comment”:

Lewis Hamilton previews the W15 ahead of the 2024 season

The seven-time world champion said that the team understands the new car so much better than in the previous two seasons and is hopeful of being more competitive in 2024.

Speaking with BBC, Lewis Hamilton said:

Even though Lewis Hamilton is considered one of the best F1 drivers in history, he has been part of several controversies in his long career in racing.

One of them was famously known as the ‘liegate’, which occurred back in 2009. This was one of the more bizarre and shocking ones since Hamilton lied to the governing body of F1 and was disqualified from a race.

Not only that, Hamilton’s former employers McLaren was punished with a three-race ban from the world championship as well.

The entire story of the 2009 ‘liegate’ fiasco which cost Lewis Hamilton a disqualification

In the 2009 F1 season opener, the Australian GP, Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica crashed into each other, bringing out the yellow flag and safety car. Since overtaking under a safety car is not allowed, every car needs to be in a single line and slow down.

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton was having a brilliant race as he came from 15th to fourth place and was behind third-placed Toyota driver Jarno Trulli. During the yellow flags, Trulli accidentally went off track, which forced Hamilton to overtake the Italian driver.

Both drivers spoke to their respective teams, and McLaren, through its team radio, commanded Hamilton to give back the place to Truli. As the Briton slowed down, the Toyota driver went past him. The move was done under a safety car, which was technically against the rules. Truli was essentially forced to pass Hamilton since the latter slowed down quite a lot. This bit of information was also conveyed by Truli to his team.

After the race, the race stewards gave Truli a 25-second time penalty, which cost him his podium finish in Australia. When McLaren and Hamilton were summoned by the stewards, they lied, saying that there was no communication between them regarding letting Truli pass under a safety car.

A few days later, before the 2009 F1 Malaysian GP, the FIA stewards found out that Lewis Hamilton had reportedly admitted to the media how McLaren commanded him to give back the place to Truli, something that he and his team representative denied previously.

Max Verstappen has insisted Mercedes will be one of Red Bull’s closest competitors next season with Lewis Hamilton at the wheel. The reigning F1 world champion won this year’s season at a stroll but is expecting a closer race in the new year.

Verstappen’s 2023 season was his best to date with an incredible 19 wins and 21 podium finishes. The driver earned 575 points thanks to his dominance on the track, 290 points clear of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

The Dutch driver’s dominant campaign surpassed his previous record of 15 wins last season. And his points record far exceeds that of Sebastian Vettel’s impressive 155-point lead in 2013.

The win was Verstappen’s third in a row, suggesting that the 26-year-old is going from strength to strength and will continue to out perform his rivals for years to come. But in a surprising twist, Verstappen has instead suggested he could struggle next season thanks to Red Bull’s rivals.

“Running the same season will be almost impossible,” he told NOS. “Of course, we will try to develop our car further, but the other teams have learned a lot from us. I hope there won’t be more competition, but I expect there to be.

“Every weekend it was a different team that showed itself just as well. McLaren, for example, seemed to have it all sorted out for a while, but then had a dip again. They seem to know which way to go and there are good people working there.”

Mercedes aren’t the only team that Verstappen has admitted to being wary of next season. The Red Bull driver also pin pointed a threat from a further two teams that are expected to upset the pack.

“It’s automatically going to be closer together,” Verstappen added when reflecting on the final races of the season. “You also saw it in qualifying this past season: it wasn’t always easy.”

While Verstappen’s comments suggest next season will be a tight affair, the Dutch driver will be eager to enjoy another successful year thanks to his incredible bonus payments for becoming world champion.

Following the final race, a report via Forbes revealed that the F1 star earned an incredible $70 million (£55m). The money was split with a base salary of $45 million (£35m) and a bonus of $25 million (£19m).