Lewis Hamilton is within touching distance of Sergio Perez in the F1 standings. However, his main goal for 2023 is elsewhere.
Since the Monaco GP, there have been discussions about the battle for P2 in the standings. Initially, it was Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin who was closest to Perez in the standings. As the year has progressed, it is now Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes who are in striking range.
The 7-time World Champion has gone from strength to strength this year, becoming increasingly comfortable in the W14. Podium finishes are increasingly standard for Hamilton, especially after recent updates to the Silver Arrows.
Mercedes is well into its preparations for next season. Technical Director James Allison is leading efforts to challenge Red Bull with the next iteration of F1 cars.
A floor update in COTA, which served as a stepping stone for 2024, showed signs of promise. Merecdes’ Austrian rivals are still at the top, but a strong winter of development can essentially erase the gap.
Hamilton establishes his priority
As ever, Lewis Hamilton is concerned with the big picture in F1. Whilst toppling Perez in the standings would be positive, he outlined other priorities post-race Mexico City:
“It’s mostly dependent on Checo’s weekends, really. They have the championship-winning car. He’s just been unfortunate, I think, in some scenarios.
“Obviously, I’ve lost quite a lot of points in the last two races, but he lost points today. So it’s swings and roundabouts.
“I think coming into the weekend, having lost points last week, I didn’t think I would be in shooting range. But after today, yeah, we’ll just give it our best shot.
“Honestly, it’s not going to make a big difference to my life – whether I come second or third.
“It’s more important to get the team second in the Constructors, and so that’s what I’m focused on. It’s a bonus if we get second in the Drivers.”
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Potential for Rivalry in 2024
Aside from occasional blips, Red Bull and Max Verstappen have been unmatched on race day. The Austrian team is beatable on Saturday qualifying – as demonstrated on 5 of the last eight race weekends.
Race pace is still undisputed Red Bull territory, though, and this is their main advantage heading into the winter break. Lewis Hamilton has, on occasion, challenged the Austrian outfit’s supremacy on a Saturday.
Despite their post-race disqualification, the American GP was an encouraging one for the German outfit. Brazil’s Interlagos circuit is also a strong hunting ground for Mercedes, meaning this weekend could present more opportunity.
Still, the fact remains that Toto Wolff must ensure his team takes a big step in the next six months. The current deficit to Red Bull is still substantial – and Adrian Newey is unlikely to stand still over winter.
Mercedes must achieve similar gains to what Aston Martin and McLaren have found at various points since 2022.
Until then, Hamilton is in a position to upset Christian Horner’s team and prevent their first-ever 1-2 in the F1 Drivers standings.
