Does money matter? Most people in the world are going to say yes to that question. Now, ask that to a Formula 1 Team Principal. The emphasis on that ‘yes’ will increase 10 times. Despite the case being such, Lewis Hamilton has taken the decision to risk $11 million worth of prize money just so that Mercedes can improve their car in the long term.

The state that the Silver Arrows has been reduced to after 7 years of dominating the sport is embarrassing. Despite having a 7-time champion captaining their ship, the progress has been very little. In such a scenario, a visionary like Hamilton needs to take the lead to turn things around. And so he has. He is willing to spend more time developing the 2024 car. And while doing so, even if they lose $11 million by finishing P3 instead of P2 in 2023, he is okay with it.

“It doesn’t matter to me what position I’m going to end up in 2023,” Hamilton told Channel 4, as quoted by Soymotor. “The only thing I want is to help the team as much as possible in development so that we can start next year, in the first test and in the first race, with a car that has no rebound, that has the necessary downforce and efficiency. Thus, we will be able to fight with anyone, that is my dream. I am looking further afield.”

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It looks like the Briton is ready to surrender this year’s progress. Moreover, even the Mercedes Team Principal is of the same opinion.

Agreeing with Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff shoves 2023 hopes down the drain

With arch-rivals Red Bull already developing their 2024 car, the pressure of losing out in 2024 as well is looming over Mercedes. Furthermore, the chances of getting more good finishes this year don’t look optimistic. So, judging by the circumstances, along with Hamilton, Team Principal Toto Wolff too has shifted his focus to the next year.

“The sails are set for 2024,” said Wolff in his mid-season review on the Mercedes YouTube channel. “Now with the car development almost stopped for this year, I find it good because there is so much we can optimize on the current car without looking too much into upgrades.”

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This is not a situation where being on the same page feels like a nice thing. But they have no choice but to bow to fate and shift focus to a hopefully better 2024 season.