Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton doesn't expect Mercedes to close gap to Red Bull "for the next couple of years"

The F1 Brazillian GP was perhaps the most exciting race for everyone, except for Mercedes fans who witnessed their team struggle to even contend for points. In response to the disappointing performance, Hamilton now suggests that Red Bull have a clear advantage over the field for the next couple of years.

How did the race go for Mercedes?

Following a red flag at the first corner of the race, both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured promising starting positions. However, within a few laps, it became evident that the team struggled with tire degradation, resulting in Hamilton managing his pace. Additionally, to make matters worse, the W14’s straight-line speed was notably lacking, allowing other cars to overtake with ease. Ultimately, Hamilton finished eighth, a substantial 63 seconds behind the race winner, Max Verstappen, while George Russell was forced to retire due to reliability issues.

When questioned about the team’s performance, Toto Wolff, the team principal, labelled it as “inexcusable” and expressed his dismay, saying, “The car finished second last week and the week before, and whatever we did to it was horrible. I can only feel for the two of them driving such a miserable thing.”

Hamilton also echoed Wolff’s statements, voicing concerns about his inability to challenge Verstappen over the remaining two years of his current contract, set to conclude by the end of 2025. “All I can do is try to remain optimistic. But the Red Bull is so far away, they’re probably going to be very clear for the next couple of years.”

Fighting for second in the championship

While the poor performance in Brazil could be attributed to an incorrect setup, this setback could prove detrimental to Hamilton’s aspirations of overtaking Perez in the championship. This is because Hamilton was trailing Perez by only 19 points before the race, but after Checo’s strong showing in both the Sprint and main race, that gap has widened to 32 points. Additionally, with only two races remaining, Hamilton will undoubtedly require a better-performing car to challenge Perez’s position.