SUMMARY
- James Allison says Lewis Hamilton will have a thrist to win the Championship in 2024.
- Hamilton has not won a race in over 2 years now.
James Allison is one of Mercedes’ key staff members. He serves as the Technical Director for the team. This means he plays a very important role in designing and developing the team’s car. He believes that Lewis Hamilton wants to win more than anything in 2024.
Since the 2021 season, Lewis has not been able to win a single race. This is not because of his ability, but instead because of the team’s inability to design a race-winning car. After the 2021 season, the FIA introduced a rule change that did not bore well for Mercedes. Since then, the team has been struggling to win a race.
James Allison gives insight on Lewis Hamilton’s mindset in 2024
James Allison gave a recent interview where he explained Hamilton’s mindset going into the 2024 season. Starting a new season is always hopeful for all F1 drivers. Especially those who were not able to do well the previous season. Although Lewis finished 3rd in the WDC in 2023, he did not win a race and is really looking forward to getting back into the Championship fight.
“I think it’s difficult to find a driver on the grid who wouldn’t be motivated (to fight for victory),” Allison told Autosport. “And in general, the more successful a driver has been, the greater the inescapable need to win.”
“And in Lewis’s case, I have no doubt about his motivation to get back on the winning path. But it will depend more on the material we give him than what he does on the track”
Mercedes Technical Director James Allison says Lewis Hamilton “has proven seven times that he is World Championship material and he was the highest scoring non-Red Bull driver” in 2023.#F1 #TeamLH #GR63https://t.co/rWDgV9QXFz
— Mercedes F1 News – SilverArrows.Net (@SilverArrowsNet) January 17, 2024
Given that Lewis Hamilton got used to winning races during Mercedes’ domination which lasted for 8 years, he will be itching for another win now. Until the 2022 season, Hamilton managed to win at least 1 race in every F1 season. Now he has gone 2 years without one.
Back in 2023, Hamilton signed a contract extension to stay with Mercedes until the end of the 2025 season. This gives him and the team enough time to develop the car to get back to winning. There is no doubt that the British driver along with his team is more than hungry to dethrone Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
Lewis Hamilton’s hunger forces Toto Wolff to make major F1 decision
Toto has been leading the team for a long time now. A few weeks back, Toto Wolff extended his contract to lead the team until the end of the 2026 season. After extending his contract, he gave a statement that made his motives very clear going into the upcoming season.
“I have a personal anger and drive to make him win the eighth title because he should have had it.
“As a team principal, it is important to be fair and open with both drivers. But there is a big part of us that will always want to be a part of that story in undoing and overcoming 2021.”
Age is no barrier according to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who believes Lewis Hamilton still has what it takes to move up a level provided he has the right support ⏫️🏆️
How do you see Lewis & Mercedes faring this season? pic.twitter.com/CMxT0DlIx1
— Autosport (@autosport) January 18, 2024
Back in 2021, Lewis had one hand on the Championship trophy. However, a last-minute safety car denied him the victory. It was revealed by the FIA that the proper safety car procedures were not followed at the time. If the procedures were followed, Hamilton could have been crowned champion. Since then, Mercedes has been pushing to help Lewis win his 8th Championship.
Although the team has 2 drivers driving for them, it looks as though they will be prioritizing Lewis Hamilton as they try to help him get redemption. This will serve as extra fuel as they try to develop a Championship winning car for the 2024 season.