F1 News: Lewis Hamilton's Contract Extension Signals Major Mercedes Improvement - Johnny Herbert

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes that Lewis Hamilton's contract extension with Mercedes indicates a jump in performance for the Brackley-based squad.

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has shared his insights about Mercedes' future in Formula 1, particularly in relation to Lewis Hamilton's extended contract. According to Herbert, Mercedes must have a significantly improved car for the seven-time champion to have renewed his commitment to the team.

Key Takeaways:

• Herbert questions whether Mercedes can overcome their previous design issues, particularly with their ground effect concept. Despite recognising sporadic improvements, he remains skeptical about their ability to consistently compete.
• Mercedes' efforts to retain Hamilton suggest significant improvements in their car, at least in the simulator. Herbert emphasises the importance of these advancements, considering the strong competition from teams like Red Bull.
• The competition is not just about Mercedes and Red Bull; Herbert highlights the potential improvements from other teams such as Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin, adding to the complexity of the upcoming season.

Mercedes has faced notable challenges over the past two seasons in Formula 1. Their struggles in 2022 and 2023 were a stark contrast to their previous dominance in the sport. The team grappled with issues related to the ground effect concept leading to inconsistent performances throughout the seasons. While they showed glimpses of competitiveness, such as at the Austin Grand Prix, their overall performance was lacking compared to their high standards.

Herbert's comments highlight these challenges and the team's potential response. He stated:

"Can they do it? That is the key. The ground effect concept didn’t work. They said they knew what was wrong and that they knew how to fix it. Clearly, they didn’t and couldn’t.

"They improved a bit but it was sporadic. They had a good race in Austin so the car showed signs it could be competitive, but it was not very often."

Herbert further questioned Mercedes' ability to revamp their design approach: 

"Have they been able to throw away the concept of the past two years, dig a hole and stick it in the ground? Then appearing next to it is a concept that will actually improve upon the performances? Have they got the ability to do that?"

Regarding Hamilton's contract extension, Herbert highlighted the implications for Mercedes' car improvements: 

"With all the negotiations to keep Lewis, they must have shown him they have improved the car substantially at least on the simulator. But they are not only up against making themselves more competitive, they are also up against trying to beat Red Bull."

Herbert also emphasised the broader competition in F1: 

"But you can’t just focus on them. There’s bound to be improvement from Ferrari and McLaren and maybe Aston Martin."

Mercedes' journey in the upcoming Formula 1 season will be closely watched by fans and analysts. With the combination of Hamilton's expertise and the team's promised improvements, it remains to be seen if they can reclaim their position at the forefront of the sport.

Thank you to MegaDice.com for setting up the interview.