Lewis Hamilton Anticipates an Exciting 2024 F1 Season, Witnessing the Evolution of Mercedes W15 in the Wind Tunnel
In the midst of Mercedes’ challenges in mastering the latest ground effect machinery, Hamilton looks forward to the upcoming Formula 1 season. Having endured two seasons without a victory, it represents his lengthiest win drought in F1.
The German team initially adhered to its ‘zeropod’ concept but shifted to a more conventional sidepod solution at the Monaco Grand Prix in May. Following a difficult weekend in Brazil last month, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff compared the overhaul of their 2023 car to applying “plasters on something that’s not right.”
Constrained by the design limitations of its launch-spec car, Wolff affirmed that Mercedes is actively moving forward with a new direction for its 2024 contender.
Despite expressing skepticism about Mercedes’ ability to close the gap to Red Bull after the concluding race, Hamilton has emphasized that he maintains “full faith” in his Mercedes team.
Speaking at the annual FIA Gala in Baku, the 7 times champion said: “I think it’s always difficult to… I mean I’m not an engineer nor a designer, so it’s not easy to able to see the car.”
“It’s always an exciting time of the year because I have seen the car in the wind tunnel, I always go by the wind tunnel when I go to the factory, to see it evolving in whichever direction it ends up going.
“Literally when I was leaving yesterday I popped in just to see where we were and when I come back, it will be again a different animal.
“But I have full faith in everyone that’s working on it, and hopeful that will be in a much more competitive position next year.”
Overcoming a slow start, Mercedes secured a second-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship, edging out Ferrari by three points— one position higher than their 2022 achievement.
Hamilton, who received recognition for finishing third in the Drivers’ standings, shared that there is a “very positive” atmosphere among the team members as they strive to make a comeback to title contention.
“The team, all the members in the team are incredibly grateful to have got second in the Constructors’ given the challenges that we face this season,” Hamilton added.
“It’s always quite emotional. I’ve been with the team for such a long time but every time you go back to the two Brixworth and Brackley, and you’re reminded of just how big this team is pushing you forward behind.
“You see every individual, some people that are that are new to the team that have joined whilst I’ve been here, and some that have been here even way before, and also some that have worked on my engine since my first Grand Prix in Formula One, it’s amazing to see just the progress and the growth that.
“Also our team is becoming more and more diverse, which has been really like pleasing for me to see that we are moving in the right direction.”
