The Spanish Grand Prix, the tenth round of the 2024 Formula championship confirms Mercedes’ recent improvement, as the German side seems to finally be back near the top after many difficulties. At the 4.657-kilometre Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the Brackley team did better than Scuderia Ferrari that, despite the updates, couldn’t reach the podium, finishing behind both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
The checkered flag at Montmeló brings smiles to the faces of the Mercedes team. The same cannot be said for the Ferrari team, which once again was “only” the fourth force in Catalonia and is still forced to swallow their disappointment after the Canadian debacle. For a growing Mercedes, there is a Ferrari that, after the Monaco performance, is facing more struggles than expected. At the end of the Spanish Grand Prix, the question to Lewis Hamilton is automatic: “Do you have any second thoughts about your choice for 2025?”
The British driver, set to join Frederic Vasseur’s team starting with the next Formula 1 campaign, had no hesitation in his response: “No. Not at all!” he explained to journalists at the press conference.
“I mean, first of all, I love Mercedes. I’ve been with them since I was 13 and I will always be a Mercedes fan,” added the seven-time Formula 1 world champion – “My job this year is to work hard with the guys here and in the factory to grow and develop the car in the right direction. Even looking ahead to next year, there will be things where I will have proudly played a role.” – he pointed out.
Mercedes’ improvement in this 2024 championship can only satisfy Lewis, but 2025 will be another chapter to write with Ferrari. “Next year, I will start working with another team that I think is doing a great job.”
Lewis Hamilton is therefore already donning Ferrari red and defending the Prancing Horse. No second thoughts, the choice is not in question, and the situation with Ferrari is not critical: “I think they’ve had a couple of tough races, but we mustn’t forget the victory in Monaco. I can’t tell you what they need to fix with their car and why they were in those positions in Spain.” – the British driver explained – “They brought an update here in Barcelona and I think they are definitely making progress,” analyzed the Mercedes driver, who then emphasized his confidence in the Maranello team: “Nothing makes me regret my decision, absolutely.”
Source: f1ingenerale
