The British Formula 1 driver turns his team’s plans around to form a new goal with the idea of removing Max Verstappen from the throne
Lewis Hamilton announces that Mercedes must start focusing on next year’s car to be able to catch up with Red Bull in time for the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Red Bull it has won 18 of the last 19 races that have taken place, including all eight this year. Meanwhile, Mercedes has made up ground after a slow start to the year by introducing a substantial upgrade package that now sits second in the Manufacturers’ standings.
Hamilton got his third podium of 2023 and the second in a row at the Canadian Grand Prix, confirming the progress that the German brand has made. However, Hamilton argues that MercedesStill trailing Red Bull by a whopping 154 points, it needs to turn its attention towards next year’s W15 car to ensure it can compete with the reigning champions from the outset.
Hamilton’s reflections on the Canadian Grand Prix
“It was a great weekend,” he reflected Sunday in Montreal. “Very difficult with the conditions but happy to be in the car now with the car in a better window and a little more on the right track. For us to be up there, having battles with Fernando (Alonso) in the Aston, and being right on the second row, it’s been great. And to be on the podium, two races in a row is really, really fantastic for us.
We were also running fourth place in Monaco, so we’re definitely getting close. And it’s going to be a developmental battle, I guess, for the rest of the season. I guess Max’s team is already working on next year’s car, so we need to take our eyes off the ball a bit and focus on next year as well, but yeah, I’m happy to be up there.
The fight with Alonso and the performance of the Mercedes
However, Alonso managed to overtake the Briton again on the track after the first round of pit stops, and despite Hamilton’s attempts to attack his old rival again, the Aston Martin driver held onto second until the end. Likewise, the quality of the pilot on the track is demonstrated during a whole race full of pressure.
Having followed both Red Bull and the Aston Martin for long periods at different times in Canada, Hamilton reveals that the Mercedes W14 still lacks performance at the rear compared to its rivals. “Low speed, rear. The back end of him… I mean, I had the experience of being behind Max and the back end of him is very strong,” he explained. “His rear end of him doesn’t move and he’s probably ten car lengths off me just coming out of the corners.