Unlike the 2023 season where one team was dominating the whole campaign, the 2024 season has three contenders for the Constructors’ Championship: Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren.
Using a Mercedes engine, McLaren has 5 podiums and a win this season, compared to Mercedes’s 0 rostrum appearances. The Brackley-based team has not been able to close the gap completely to the front, despite their upgrades giving them more performance.
McLaren’s incredible progress for the last year as a Mercedes engine consumer has made it clear that the power unit made at Brixworth is right up with the best.
The main issue for the Mercedes factory team is to rectify the rest of the car.
“I think we’ve always known that the engine’s not the problem. So the engine’s great.
“I think the guys have continued to do an amazing job in terms of developing that technology.
“And with the hybrid area, we have been right at the top in terms of our development rate and performance and reliability. So that hasn’t ever been an issue.
“So anyone buying our engines knows what they’re getting.
“But we know on the car side, we haven’t done the best of jobs in the last couple of years and we’re working as hard as we can to rectify that.”
The Mercedes driver started his Formula One journey with Mclaren in 2007, winning multiple races and a Drivers’ World Championship for the the team in 2008. He left at the end of 2012 to join Mercedes.
McLaren’s hardships throughout the years have not been a secret. Seeing them back at the sharp end of the grid makes Hamilton proud.
“I think he [Norris] is doing a great job, Oscar [Piastri] is also doing a really great job as well.
“He’s just been unlucky in the last couple of races. So excited to see both of them, and how they both progress, but mostly also for McLaren, to see them back up there.
“It warms my heart because I was there for such a long time [from 2007 to 2012] and they gave me my break. So it’s cool.”
The Brit explains seeing their customer at the front of the field has given Mercedes more motivation to bridge the gap as they aim to get themselves back into a position to regularly fight for wins and titles.
“I hope we can get closer as well, I think they [McLaren] also have just shown that you can close the gap and you can catch up if the job’s done right. It’s inspired us all to get on it.”
