Hamilton has praised Aston Martin’s stunning progress in the 2023 season, while admitting that it served as a stark reminder of how far off the pace Mercedes are in comparison. Despite Aston Martin still being unable to challenge Red Bull for race wins, Hamilton said the team had demonstrated how quickly they were able to close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari, highlighting the need for the Brackley outfit to make significant changes in the upcoming off-season. With Aston Martin’s rate of improvement serving as a benchmark, Hamilton said it was now up to Mercedes to ensure they were not left behind once again in 2024.
However, Hamilton also stressed that while Aston Martin’s resurgence was impressive, it would be wrong to simply copy their methods. Instead, he believes Mercedes must look to improve in their own unique way, drawing inspiration from their past successes. The Briton has also urged the team to avoid making excuses, and has called for a renewed focus on improving performance for next season. Hamilton knows that there is no room for complacency, and that every single detail must be examined to ensure Mercedes are back at the front of the grid in 2024.
Hamilton said that the time constraints and limited resources mean that Mercedes cannot afford to completely overhaul their car design. Instead, they must build upon what they already have. He compared this approach to the one taken by Aston Martin, who tried to copy another team’s car in 2023. However, Hamilton noted that this was not an effective strategy, and that each team must find its own way to succeed. He also emphasized the need for constant progress, rather than a one-off solution.
Hamilton acknowledged that it is a tall order for Mercedes to catch up to Red Bull, as it will require a tremendous amount of hard work and consistent progress. He also acknowledged the difficulty of making changes without causing unintended consequences. In this context, he highlighted the challenges facing Aston Martin, who have struggled to get their copycat strategy to work. Despite the challenges, Hamilton expressed confidence in the team’s ability to improve and ultimately close the gap to Red Bull.
