Lewis Hamilton after finishing P2 in Spain — Photo: © LAT Images

F1 Superstars

Mercedes chief says Hamilton title out of driver's hands

The seven-time world champion is hoping to get back to winning ways in 2024

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Sunday 28 January 2024 00:57 Updated: 14:33

Mercedes technical director James Allison has admitted that it's down to him and the rest of the team's technical staff to provide Lewis Hamilton with a winning car if he's to claim a record eighth world title.

The started getting outpaced by Red Bull during the 2021 season, and the subsequent two years have seen Hamilton fail to win a single race, never mind title.

Mercedes' last two cars have only yielded one race win between them, when George Russell claimed victory at the Brazilian GP in 2022, and team principal Toto Wolff has already stated that their 2024 car will feature dramatic changes.

Allison returned to Mercedes as technical director in April 2023, replacing Mike Elliott, who had originally replaced him.

The Brit has recently signed a new contract, and has been in charge of ensuring that Mercedes' W15 makes a step closer to the dominant Red Bull team in 2024.

Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time Formula 1 world champion

Lewis Hamilton's last race victory came at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Mercedes' last victory came courtesy of George Russell, at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix

Hamilton's desire to win races

Now, Allison has said that the pressure is on the Brackley-based outfit to provide Hamilton with a car capable of winning once again, after the seven-time champion signed a new contract keeping him with the team until at least the end of 2025.

“I think you'd struggle to find a driver anywhere in the grid that wasn't motivated,” Allison told Autosport.

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“I think that sort of comes with the territory with them. And generally speaking, the more successful the drivers have been, the more sort of inescapable that compulsive need to win is.

“In Lewis's case, it's just a core part of who he is, so there's no doubt about his motivation to get back to winning ways. But whether or not he can do that, will be much more in the hands of the equipment we've given him than in his own hands. He's always had that ability there.”

Red Bull Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Toto Wolff James Allison