Despite much promise of a return to the top step, Mercedes once again struggled this year, with their first winless season since 2011.
The end of 2022 left many Mercedes fans hopeful of a return to the highs of 2021. Although only achieving one win, Mercedes driver George Russell proved the W13 had some pace taking victory in Brazil.
However, although there was much hope in testing that the new Mercedes would fight Red Bull, it soon became clear the zero sidepod design was fundamentally wrong.
Although achieving a solid fifth and seventh, Aston Martin – a Mercedes engine customer – shocked fans and Mercedes with their pace.
It was a frustrating season for Mercedes as they failed to make ground on Red Bull.
Some could argue they showed the Brackley team how it is done.
While they eventually found pace and achieved their first podium in Australia, Mercedes ultimately lagged behind at the start of the season.
Accepting a fundamental car design was needed, Mercedes returned to a sidepod design in Monaco.
Despite the car proving a success and able to overcome rivals Aston Martin, it only solved some of their issues, still not much closer to Red Bull consistently.
They narrowly beat Ferrari in Abu Dhabi to claim 2nd in the WCC by three points.
Toto Wolff has claimed they will need to complete a similar feat if they are to challenge Red Bull in 2024.
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The long climb for number 8: Hamilton’s impressive but forgettable season
It felt clear in Abu Dhabi Hamilton was happy to forget the W14. After a poor qualifying and an average race, Hamilton described his season as “ultimately not the season we [Mercedes] wanted”.
Frustrated by the initial car, Hamilton was able to achieve six podiums across 2023.
Not only is this three less than 2022, it’s only one more than his worst season in 2009.
There is no sign of Hamilton slowing down just yet, but at 38 he must realise time is running out. Both he and Toto would like to sign off their time at Mercedes with another championship clean sweep.
There is no evidence to suggest that will be possible in 2024 just yet.
As for young starlet, George Russell, it was a frustrating campaign after his breakthrough season in 2022.
The speed is clearly there but his season will be characterised by a few costly mistakes that cost him and the team the points they deserved.
This was most evident in Singapore where, incredibly, he crashed out on the final lap gifting a podium to his teammate.
You can draw comparisons to Max Verstappen in the way Russell has come into a top team as a rough diamond with clear speed.
If he can iron out the mistakes he will follow a similar direction to that of the Dutchman in recent years.
Russell will aim to beat Hamilton in 2024 to further confirm his role as the de facto team leader once Lewis calls it a day.
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