Lewis Hamilton is “clearly worried” as he expresses major concerns about the Mercedes F1 star.
Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has agreed a contract extension with Mercedes but is struggling to get back on track after a difficult season.
The pace at which Red Bull are planning for the 2024 season has left Lewis Hamilton worried about taking part in the upcoming campaign, according to Sky Sports’ Craig Slater.
Red Bull took control of the 2023 season with Max Verstappen winning the Drivers’ Championship with weeks to go and Sergio Perez finishing second.
Hamilton closed the gap on Perez in Mexico City to take second after his rival failed to cross the finish line, but the pair are still on 20 points with three races remaining.
Hamilton recently extended his contract with Mercedes, keeping him with the team until the 2025 season, ending speculation about his future.
The seven-time world champion will remain in action for the final races of the current season, but Slater believes that, like his rivals, he will wait and see what happens in 2024.
“I think it’s going to be a battle next season,” Slater said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast (via PlanetF1).
“Clearly Lewis Hamilton’s mind is occupied with where the car will be next year and how well some of the upgrades that will be relevant at the end of this (next) season are implemented.
“I’m worried about how Red Bull managed to regain control by making next year’s car so early. I think these types of end-of-season contests give us an idea of where teams are starting to gather ideas for next year and who will definitely be where.
“From a moral point of view, I think Mercedes will try to get some results now, but you can see that Lewis Hamilton is very focused on 2024.”
But there are three races left in 2023 and Hamilton hasn’t missed them.
In fact, he presented a crocodile to world champion Verstappen at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, despite concerns about Red Bull’s power.
“I expect Red Bull to break because their car is fantastic,” Hamilton told reporters.
“But if not, I’m ready to fight them.
“It would be great if we were in the same situation as Austin and could improve our strategy.
“I was busy last season and I’m not going to do it this year,” he said.
“After the last few races, I’ve had messages from people saying, ‘He looks great,'” he added.
“But I told them, ‘I was good at the end of last year, but I started this season with a 1.5 second deficit.’
“I’m not surprised where we are now. But now we’re thinking long-term and short-term and trying to be second to the manufacturers.”
