Lewis Hamilton went winless for a second consecutive season as he ended his 2023 Formulation 1 marketing campaign with ninth on the Abu Dhabi GP; Toto Wolff was extra constructive about Mercedes’ possibilities in 2024, with the brand new season beginning on the finish of February and each race can be stay on Sky Sports activities
Final Up to date: 26/11/23 5:21pm
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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and George Russell mirror on their 2023 F1 season
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and George Russell mirror on their 2023 F1 season
Lewis Hamilton has admitted Purple Bull’s tempo on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is “definitely a concern” as Max Verstappen received a record-extending nineteenth race to complete the season.
Verstappen received by 17.9 seconds from Charles Leclerc on Sunday, with Mercedes’ George Russell one other two seconds again in third.
Hamilton suffered minor entrance wing harm in the midst of the race when nudging the again of Pierre Gasly and battled to ninth place behind Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda.
The seven-time world champion completed third within the drivers’ standings however was 341 factors behind Verstappen and went a second consecutive season with out a win.
Mercedes beat Ferrari to second within the Constructors’ Championship by two factors regardless of Hamilton’s disappointing race.
Requested by Sky Sports activities F1 if he might take any satisfaction from that, Hamilton mentioned: “Not particularly.”
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Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson analyses the incident between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso throughout the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Hamilton, who’s statically probably the most profitable driver in F1, additionally didn’t suppose suppose there was a lot he might be taught from this 12 months.
“It’s not been a great year in general. The fact I survived it. Probably that’s about it,” he mentioned.
Hamilton: Mercedes perceive what they should do
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Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff praises George Russell on his ‘distinctive’ efficiency to safe second place within the constructors’ championship and expresses the hopes he has for subsequent season
One spotlight for Hamilton in 2023 was his pole place on the Hungarian Grand Prix however he is not often been in a position to combat for victories in opposition to Verstappen and Purple Bull.
Mercedes deserted their no sidepods idea after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and clearly made strides throughout the season as Hamilton picked up 5 podiums from Barcelona onwards in June.
However, Purple Bull had been nonetheless in a position to keep forward and solely misplaced one race, coming on the Singapore Grand Prix as Carlos Sainz took victory.
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The most effective of the motion from an eventful Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
“At this moment, I don’t really know [about next year]. For Red Bull to win by 17 seconds and they haven’t developed their car since August is definitely a concern,” mentioned Hamilton.
“We have learned a lot about the car and it’s just down to the team now. They know what they need to do. Whether or not we will get there, we will see.”
Wolff: We’re so motivated for subsequent 12 months
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Fernando Alonso upsets Lewis Hamilton together with his defence on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Mercedes didn’t win a race in a season for the primary time since 2011 and have seen rivals Purple Bull win the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles for 2 years in a row.
Toto Wolff says his workforce are “so motivated and have “a lot good issues on the pipeline” but is also aware of their deficit to Red Bull going into next year.
“Let’s be trustworthy they’ve a niche as a result of they received nicely out of the blocks with the brand new laws and so as to catch up, that is a monumental endeavour… hopefully they stage off with their improvement and pace and we will catch up,” said Wolff.
“Our [2023] automotive is a basic downside, it is not steady, the drivers haven’t any confidence within the automotive, if we will dial that out, we will make a step ahead like different groups have carried out.”
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Ted Kravitz brings the latest entertainment from Abu Dhabi as he attempts to do the floss and DJ!
Mercedes edge out Ferrari in battle for second
A small positive for Mercedes is they edged out Ferrari by two points in the battle for second in the Constructors’ Championship as Sergio Perez five-second penalty promoted Russell up to third in Abu Dhabi.
Charles Leclerc tried to help Perez by letting him through on the last lap, but Russell did enough by crossing the line 3.8 seconds behind the Mexican.
“It was an ideal finish for the combat for P2. George’s driving was distinctive. I feel Charles on the finish was sportsmanlike behaviour, not attempting to decelerate. Two nice groups, two nice mates that fought to the top,” mentioned Wolff.
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Charles Leclerc attempted a last shot at beating Mercedes by handing over DRS to Sergio Perez to gain a five-second gap
“I used to be not careworn. I used to be careworn as soon as in my life in F1 and that was right here a few years in the past.
“It was a fight for P2. In a way, super positive for us as a team and many employees a reward, but it also reminds you that it’s P2.
“On the finish, we’re racers. This present day feels such as you’ve received and that is nice. We have to be blissful about that but in addition as a racer you need extra, however [on Sunday] we received.”
24 races in 2024! Watch each spherical of subsequent season stay on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29-March 2. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW
