Jenson Button Tips Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton to Challenge Red Bull’s Dominance in 2024 F1 Season
Former World Champion Believes Mercedes’ Revisions and Hamilton’s Hunger Could Shift the Balance
Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, expresses optimism about Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton’s potential to break Red Bull’s recent dominance in the upcoming 2024 season. Despite Mercedes’ winless streak in 2023, Button points to their revised car concept and past successes as factors that could position them as strong contenders against Red Bull.
Mercedes faced a challenging 2023 season, trailing Red Bull by a substantial 454 points and going winless for the first time since 2011. However, with a revamped car concept for 2024, Button believes that Mercedes, with their track record of success over the last decade, can’t be underestimated.
When asked which team is most likely to challenge Red Bull, Button overlooks competitors like Ferrari and McLaren, placing his bet on Mercedes. He acknowledges Ferrari as a close competitor, especially towards the end of the previous season, but he emphasizes the enduring rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull in the past decade.
Button, who partnered with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton from 2010 to 2012, highlights Hamilton’s enduring strength despite a prolonged winless period. He notes that the hiatus from victories could either discourage a driver or make them more determined. In Hamilton’s case, Button sees a heightened hunger to reclaim the top spot, describing him as stronger than ever in terms of speed, confidence, and reduced errors.
Button acknowledges the difficulty opponents face when competing against a confident and skilled driver like Hamilton, drawing parallels with Max Verstappen’s current dominance. As the 2024 season approaches, Button’s insights suggest that the combination of Mercedes’ improvements and Hamilton’s resilience could lead to a competitive challenge against Red Bull’s supremacy.
