Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have been tested in the last eighteen months, unable to re-take their F1 crown from Red Bull. The W14 failed to rectify last year’s shortcomings, but the British-German combination is eager to put the news and results of 2023 in the past.
Mercedes responded quickly to its Bahrain disappointment, re-shuffling its technical leadership in the early months of the year.
James Allison returned to oversee the design of next season’s package, leading a new direction after the failed ‘zeropods’ experiment.
Hamilton still operates at a superbly high level, boasting a healthy advantage over F1 teammate George Russell in the standings.
Qualifying and race head-to-heads are also emphatically in his favour, which is significant given Russell’s strong debut year with Mercedes.
Speaking ahead of the Italian GP, the 7-time Champion makes clear that victory is the only aim for 2024 and 2025:
“We have never been hungrier to win. We’ve learnt from every success but also every setback,” he told the media.
“We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge, and we will win again.
“I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both and off the track.
“Our story isn’t finished. We are determined to achieve more together. And we won’t stop until we do.”
Mercedes enjoys one of the strongest line-ups on the grid, so it is surprising this area will be unchanged in the foreseeable future.
Although small improvements will arrive in the near future, it is unlikely Red Bull’s advantage can be diminished in 2023.
This makes winter development – as ever – an essential period to close the gap to Adrian Newey and Peter Wache’s technical department.
There are reasons for Mercedes to be encouraged, with the Austrian team still suffering from the hotly contested wind tunnel reduction.
In addition, unlike rivals Ferrari, the German constructor has no major weakness holding it back.
Still, only time will tell if next year’s campaign can consist of a more balanced fight at the front.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
