Hamilton makes grim predictions for Red Bull ahead of 2024

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton insists Red Bull’s current momentum will maintain its dominance over the next two seasons. Since the introduction of the 2022 regulations, Mercedes has been trying to close the gap with rival Red Bull.
Over the next two seasons, the Silver Arrows made progress but consistently struggled to stay in contention, managing just one win. At the same time, Red Bull continues to improve rapidly – and this will help prevent other teams from trying to catch up with the development of their cars.
This led to a period of dominance almost unprecedented in Formula 1 history. In 2023, the team’s main driver Max Verstappen achieved the highest winning percentage of any driver in a single season.
So far, 17 wins in 20 races have earned him his third consecutive drivers’ title, and that doesn’t look set to change any time soon.
After Verstappen’s victory in Brazil, Hamilton revealed the contrast between Mercedes’ poor performance and the dominance of their rivals. “I think Red Bull is a long way off,” Hamilton said.
“I think they will be very clear in the coming years. “While the two RB19s enjoyed an afternoon at Interlagos, Mercedes went through one of the worst moments in the team’s recent history. Initially there was confusion about the lack of team spirit from their drivers and George Russell became increasingly frustrated.

Hamilton was unable to hold his position behind Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez before Russell accepted his fate when the team decided to retire the car. Hamilton could only finish a miserable 8th when Pierre Gasly’s Alpine passed him in the closing laps.
Speaking after the race, the 103-time race winner admitted he knew the scale of the task beforehand even before the Grand Prix started. “I knew we were going to have a tough day,” Hamilton continued. “The car hasn’t changed from yesterday to today, so I know it’s going to be tough.

• The tires are too hot, the car drives slowly on straights and there is no grip on the road when cornering.
  “In the end, all you can do is try to stay positive.
  From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of each season’s Grand Prix from Australia to Abu Dhabi.