Lewis Hamilton proclaims Mercedes can ‘close the gap’ to Red Bull in 2024

Lewis Hamilton finished third in the Drivers' Standings in 2023, two places behind his longtime rival Max Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton proclaims Mercedes can ‘close the gap’ to Red Bull in 2024

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton had a bittersweet 2023 campaign in his 17th year driving at the pinnacle of motorsport. The Briton could not manage to win a race for the second year in a row, which is the first time in his career he failed to take victory. However, Hamilton did take third place behind both Red Bull drivers, meaning he was ‘best of the rest’.

The seven-time World Champion wants to break his streak of races without victory in 2024, following a year of pure Red Bull dominance. Hamilton had said that he believes the Mercedes crew can close up to the champion team in 2024, despite the large gap between the rest of the grid and them.

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Max and all of his team really raised the bar and we have a lot of work to close that gap, but I truly do believe that we can close that gap.
Hamilton said, as reported by racingnews365

Mercedes and Red Bull have had a bitter rivalry for years now, with their title contention battle culminating in the controversial 2021 season. Mercedes will be hoping to re-ignite the fight and challenge for race wins in the 2024 season with the W15 which will reportedly have a brand-new concept.

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Lewis Hamilton commends Max Verstappen and Red Bull for 2023 performance

Max Verstappen has had an incredible 2023 campaign, winning 19 races of the 22 in the season. Red Bull managed to win 21, setting multiple records along the way. The Milton Keyes-based team faced no opposition all year, taking both Drivers’ and Constructers’ titles easily.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton finished third behind both Red Bull drivers with great performance and consistency being displayed throughout the year. The Briton attended the FIA gala which he missed two years ago, where he complimented Max Verstappen and Red Bull in his speech. Hamilton commended Red Bull’s “faultless” campaign in 2023 that saw them win their second consecutive Constructors’ Championship.

I must say a big congratulations to Red Bull, Verstappen and Checo - they've done an incredible job this year. Max Verstappen was faultless.
Lewis Hamilton said, as reported by mirror.co.uk

The compliments handed out by Hamilton are a surprise to hear, given the 103-time race winner’s bitter rivalry with the team. After losing the championship in 2021 in controversial circumstances, Mercedes has won only a single race with George Russell in Brazil in 2022, yet Hamilton hailed his rival team as a sign of respect.

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