The seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, has made a bold promise that Mercedes will be a "different animal" next year as they aim to challenge Red Bull's dominance in the upcoming season.

Red Bull's strong hold in 2023

Red Bull's Max Verstappen claimed his third consecutive title in 2023, with teammate Sergio Perez finishing closely behind. Red Bull dominated the season, winning all but one of the 22 races.

Hamilton's hopes for a competitive position

Hamilton finished third in the Drivers' Championship last year, trailing the Red Bull duo. However, he expressed his optimism for the upcoming F1 campaign, stating that he has full faith in the team's efforts to improve the car's competitiveness.

Excitement for the new car

Speaking at the FIA prize gala in Baku, Hamilton shared his excitement about the upcoming season. He mentioned that he had already seen the car in the wind tunnel and expects it to be a "different animal" when he returns. He expressed confidence in the team's work and hopes for a more competitive position next year.

A mystery surrounding Hamilton's trophy

During the prize gala, Hamilton was presented with an award for his third-place finish in the championship. However, there was a mystery surrounding the trophy after the event, as it went missing. A fan later claimed on social media that they had received the trophy as a "gift."

Looking ahead to the 2024 season

The F1 pre-season testing for the 2024 season is set to begin in Bahrain on February 21. The season itself will kick off with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir on March 2.