Toto Wolff gives Hamilton a reason to be optimistic in bid to catch Verstappen

Toto Wolff believes that the fact Mercedes hasn’t been able to unlock the full potential of the W14 package this season allows the team to be optimistic in their hopeful fight with Red Bull in 2024.

The Silver Arrows have been forced to battle for second and third-place finishes at best this season as they look to secure P2 in the Constructor Championship ahead of Ferrari with Red Bull taking all but one of the Grand Prix victories on offer in 2023.

With just five races left on the calendar, it is likely that the Brackley-based team will end the season without a win to their name unless George Russell can replicate his heroics from the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix when the F1 paddock returns to Interlagos.

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Speaking to Gazzetta Dello Sport about their chances of taking the fight to Red Bull in 2024 and beyond, Wolff said: “I wouldn’t be in this sport if I didn’t think it was possible. If you think about how much Aston Martin has grown over the winter and the leap forward made by McLaren over the summer. 

“If we were able to find 3 or 4 tenths we would go back at stake. We know that our car is worth something more than what it has produced so far, but we haven’t yet been able to understand how to get there. But this is what allows us to be optimistic.”

If Mercedes do produce a worthy 2024 challenger then Hamilton is well placed to take the fight to Verstappen. Prior to his DNF at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday the seven-time world champion had scored points at every round of the 2023 season. 

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Hamilton himself has acknowledged the monumental task that lies ahead of Mercedes if they are to attack Red Bull next year. After the Japanese Grand Prix, he said: “I have no idea where the car’s gonna be next year but we’re a long long way away. 

“The next six months has to be the greatest six months of development we’ve ever, ever had, to close that gap and be banging on the door. The evidence is there with the McLarens and we can’t turn a blind eye to that. We’ve got to look at what they’ve done and go in that direction. That is the direction. But I truly believe my team can do it.”

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