2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button has warned Red Bull that Mercedes are their biggest threat in 2024, with the Silver Arrows set to introduce an entirely new car.
Despite finishing second in the 2023 Constructors’ Championship, the Brackley-based side have offered Red Bull little competition since the current aerodynamic regulations were introduced in 2022.
Mercedes’ dominance is very much over and is now a thing of the past, although they are hungry to return to their superior ways.
In an attempt to get back to winning ways on a consistent basis – they’ve won just one race in the last two years – the Germans are introducing a completely new concept for this year.
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Whilst Mercedes did introduce a new concept in 2023, several aspects of the design were similar to what they used in their ‘zero-sidepod’ philosophy.
What is even more dangerous for Red Bull is that Lewis Hamilton is eager to get back to the front, having been starved of a win since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
If the seven-time World Champion is given a car which can compete with the Austrians, then Max Verstappen will have a real fight on his hands to win a fourth consecutive title.
The same can be said for Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship.
“Mercedes,” Button told Sky Sports.
“When you look at the last 10 years in the sport, it’s Mercedes and Red Bull, so it would be Mercedes.
“I would love to say Ferrari, I would love to have them in the mix. You could say they were the closest competitor especially towards the end of the season, but I think Mercedes will have a good improvement [for 2024]. Whether it’s enough, I don’t know.”
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Hamilton clearly believes that Mercedes can turn things around and get back to the front of the grid, proven by the fact that he agreed to a two-year contract extension.
With the 39-year-old sticking with Mercedes until at least the end of 2025, he has minimum two more opportunities to claim an elusive eighth crown.
He will be prepared to give it absolutely everything to achieve this, which makes him a huge threat for Red Bull and Verstappen.