With a new concept on the way for 2024, Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to challenge for the Drivers’ Championship next season after not winning a title since 2020.
It’s been three years now since Hamilton has been crowned as the World Champion, following Red Bull’s and Max Verstappen’s dominance.
Mercedes also haven’t designed a car capable of consistently being at the front the last two years, meaning Hamilton’s disappointing run isn’t purely because of Red Bull being superior.
Hamilton hasn’t even won a race since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he famously jostled with Verstappen.
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The seven-time World Champion would’ve won the title at the following event in Abu Dhabi, if it weren’t for ex-race director Michael Masi failing to follow the rule book.
That is well and truly in the past now though, with Hamilton and Mercedes looking to the future.
The current regulations haven’t been kind to the Silver Arrows, who can’t seem to get to grips with them.
So many ideas have been trialled by the Brackley-based side, with 2024 set to be no different.
Mercedes are effectively starting from scratch next year, after using what they’ve learnt in 2022 and 2023 to create a completely new car for 2024.
Hamilton’s first impressions of the new car are positive, although he won’t know if he can fight for the title until pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Whilst the 2024 pecking order is a complete mystery, Hamilton is seemingly one of the favourites for the championship.
According to a study of bookmakers’ odds by My Betting Edge, the 103-time race winner has a 28 per cent chance of becoming an eight-time World Champion in 2024.
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This figure is significantly higher than it is for George Russell, who according to the study has just a seven per cent chance of collecting his first F1 title next year.
With Mercedes introducing a third new concept since 2024, Hamilton’s odds are arguably better than most would’ve predicted, considering it’s been over two years since he even won a race.
Something special needs to be created by the Silver Arrows to end Red Bull’s period of superiority but will that come next year?