Abu Dhabi F1: Hamilton fears Mercedes will struggle to close gap on Red Bull in 2024

Lewis Hamilton admitted he is worried at the scale of the task of catching Max Verstappen in 2024 after the Dutchman signed off this year with another easy victory at the 2023 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Verstappen's win at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday was the icing on the cake of the most dominant season by a driver in 73 years of F1 racing.

The young Dutchman re-wrote the record books almost as he went, winning 19 races. More than that though was the manner with which the Red Bull driver dominated at almost every track.

Charles Leclerc was second for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi and Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell finished third, but neither came close to catching the triple world champion Verstappen. Hamilton, a seven-time winner of Formula One's drivers' title, limped home in ninth place, 45 seconds behind the race winner.

Most commentators say the entire grid has been living in Verstappen’s shadow. But in truth they haven’t even been close enough to do that.

“For Red Bull to win by 18 seconds when they haven’t been developing their car since August is definitely a concern,” admitted Hamilton.

“We learned a lot about the car so it’s down to the team now. They know what they’ve got to do. Whether or not we will get there we will see.”

Asked if Mercedes retaining runner’s-up spot in the constructors' championship was some consolation, Hamilton replied: “Not particularly.”

Mercedes ditched their technical director and abandoned the zero sidepod concept when it became clear early in the season how woefully uncompetitive the car was.

Hamilton has not won a race for over two years and had little good to say about the last eight months on track.

“The fact that I survived it. That’s about it,” he added.