Lewis Hamilton acknowledges the pressure to enhance performance in 2024 following Max Verstappen’s dominant year with Red Bull. Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali has conveyed to Mercedes and Hamilton that they have an obligation to show improvement in the upcoming season. Hamilton and teammate George Russell faced challenging years with the Silver Arrows, witnessing Red Bull and Max Verstappen clinch two consecutive world titles.
Since Hamilton was denied the 2021 Championship, Verstappen secured two more victories with minimal competition from Mercedes. Despite Hamilton’s last race victory being in the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the only Mercedes win in the last two years occurred in Brazil in 2022, courtesy of Russell.
While Mercedes affirms their commitment to narrowing the gap, they express concerns about Red Bull’s significant lead in developing their 2024 car. Domenicali emphasizes that Hamilton, Russell, and Toto Wolff bear a responsibility to enhance competitiveness in the sport, stating, “I really hope for the teams to be under pressure to make sure that they understand that they have a big duty in that.”
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, conveys his worry about Red Bull’s substantial progress in developing their 2024 car. Red Bull’s dominance in 2024, winning all but one race and refraining from upgrades after August, raises doubts about the possibility of catching up in the next season. Hamilton, uncertain about Red Bull’s vulnerability, acknowledges their impressive lead and expresses concern, saying, “Red Bull won by 17 seconds and have not touched the car since August. So, you can pretty much guess where they’re going to be next year. [Red Bull] haven’t even developed their car since August. It’s definitely a concern.”
Hamilton remains cautious about Mercedes’ prospects for 2024, mentioning the team’s awareness of what needs to be done. While he acknowledges the lessons learned about the car, he is uncertain whether they will reach the desired level of performance in the upcoming season.