Ben Hunt: Mercedes already have work cut out for 2024 season after disastrous 2023 with Hamilton’s assessment damning
IT is just 95 days until the Bahrain Grand Prix, the opening race for the 2024 season, and boy do Mercedes have their work cut out.
This season has been a total disaster from start to finish.
From the opening qualifying session in Bahrain, where boss Toto Wolff ordered their car design to be scrapped, to the final race in Abu Dhabi, where Lewis Hamilton delivered the bleak assessment that his only highlight from the season was the fact he “survived it”.
Each time the team appeared to make progress, they took two steps back the next weekend.
Hamilton and his teammate George Russell were despondent as Mercedes went without a single win for the first time in 12 years.
This is now a hugely important time for Wolff as he tries to steer his ship back on course to challenge for wins again.
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In the past, it would have been easier to buy their way out of trouble, committing funds to the development of their car until finding something that worked.
F1’s cost cap means his spending is limited to that of his rivals — a figure of just $135million (£107m) for the whole season, a third of what the big teams would spend before it was introduced in 2021.
It was encouraging at least to see no back-slapping at finishing second in the championship, having narrowly pipped perennial under-achievers Ferrari by three points.
Somewhat worryingly, in his post-race media session in Abu Dhabi, Wolff said he could draw some optimism from McLaren, Aston Martin and Alpha Tauri, who had all made a strong finish to the season.
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Only, this is not a customer team like those listed above, this is Mercedes, who won eight constructors’ titles in a row.
Wolff spoke with a frown which now appears etched across his brow and the general mood raises more fears for next season.
For the development of their challenger in 2024 is now well under way at their Brackley HQ.
But there seems to be nothing to brighten their spirits, no optimism, only the painful realisation of another season of woe ahead.
This campaign has only just finished but time is already running out to be able to challenge Red Bull next season.
I received a great deal of feedback from people working in the F1 paddock after last week’s column, where I revealed the human cost of six races in seven weeks, criss-crossing the world.
Staff sickness was a big issue in Abu Dhabi, with Red Bull boss Christian Horner saying: “I sincerely hope that subscriptions to Lemsip are not within the budget cap. It’s been a pretty brutal regime.”
LEAVING HIS DIRTY MARQ
MARCO BEZZECCHI has blasted MotoGP rival Marc Marquez, calling him “the dirtiest rider”.
The two collided on the opening lap of the Valencia GP, which was won by Ducati’s 26-year-old Francesco Bagnaia, who retained his title.
Bezzecchi, 25, fumed: “Marquez decided to end my race on the third corner. He did the same as he did in Thailand with me in corners five and six.
“So, he hit me right here in my back. It was very, very dirty.
“I think from the view from the TV you can see very well, but it’s Marquez so they don’t do anything to him.
“Most of the time, when the other rider doesn’t crash it’s OK. But when you make the other rider crash, at least it’s a f***ing penalty.
“They never do anything to him — because it’s Marquez and he’s the dirtiest rider.”
MUSICAL CHAIRES
FRENCH driver Theo Pourchaire won the Formula Two title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
A fifth-place finish at Yas Island was enough to beat Danish racer Frederik Vesti by 11 points in the overall standings.
Rules in the competition state that champions must retire from Formula Two — but with no seat in F1 available, Pourchaire faces a spell on the sidelines.
The 20-year-old is currently a member of the Sauber Academy and serves as a test and reserve driver for Alfa Romeo Racing.
