Is Mercedes F1 Team Already Hopeless For a Competitive 2024 Season?
With rivals Red Bull already having the upper hand in developing next year's car, the Mercedes F1 team has a mountain to climb if they plan to catch up.
Hamilton's Downbeat Assessment
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team's superstar driver Lewis Hamilton concluded the Formula One season in Abu Dhabi with a downcast outlook on the team's chances of challenging Red Bull in the upcoming championship. Finishing ninth at Yas Marina, Hamilton expressed his apprehensions regarding Red Bull's overwhelming superiority, remarking, "Red Bull won by 17 seconds and they have not touched the car since August or July." His lackluster performance in an uncompetitive car left him despondent, citing survival as the only takeaway from a challenging year.
Wolff Acknowledges the Challenge
Toto Wolff, echoing Hamilton's concerns, acknowledged the formidable challenge ahead for Mercedes in competing with Red Bull. Admitting the enormity of the task, Wolff likened it to "a Mount Everest to climb." With Red Bull's early focus on next year's car, he recognized the considerable advantage the team had gained, emphasizing, "Beating them under the current regulations is against the odds."
Verstappen's Dominance
Max Verstappen, basking in the glow of an unparalleled season, admitted uncertainty about replicating such success. Despite acknowledging the emotional significance of the season's end, Verstappen noted the challenge in achieving another season akin to the current one. He emphasized the team's relentless efforts to ensure a competitive car for the upcoming year.
Red Bull's Triumph and Room for Improvement
Christian Horner, Red Bull's team principal, celebrated the team's dominance, winning 21 out of 22 races. Despite this remarkable achievement, he highlighted the team's constant pursuit of improvement, affirming an old-school racing ethos and a relentless desire within the team to achieve results.
Mercedes' Struggles
Hamilton's tumultuous race in Abu Dhabi, finishing ninth after sustaining front wing damage, encapsulated Mercedes' challenges throughout the season. Despite securing third place in the Drivers' Championship, Hamilton expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance, indicating the immense gap between them and the leading Red Bull. One positive takeaway from the season was the fact that Mercedes managed to take second place in the constructor's rankings, beating Ferrari by a handful of points.
Looking Ahead
As the year drew to a close, attention shifted towards the impending 2024 campaign. Mercedes have understandable concerns about Red Bull's dominance. With the focus already shifted to the next season's cars, the team seeks to bridge the gap and mount a more competitive challenge. Unfortunately, the same type of negative energy surrounds their attitude toward success in the upcoming season as we've seen all year long. And all signs point toward another smooth ride to the double championship for Red Bull at the moment. Only time will tell if the suspicions will turn out correct.
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