Mercedes fire Red Bull warning over Hamilton's title chances

Mercedes technical director James Allison believes both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will challenge for the 2024 title - but only if the W15 delivers.

Red Bull has toppled Mercedes as F1's dominant force since the ground effect rules were introduced in 2022, with the Silver Arrows recording just a single win in those two seasons, going winless for the first time since 2011 in '23.

The team scored 409 points, less than half of Red Bull's 860 as the team abandoned its failed zero sidepod approach for a more conventional design.

Despite changing the sidepods in-season at the Monaco Grand Prix, the team was unable to make further architecture changes with the W14, instead focusing on the W15 - which is to be unveiled in an event at Silverstone on February 14th.

Provided that the car is quick enough, Allison firmly believes that Hamilton - and team-mate George Russell will be able to challenge for the title.

Mercedes' title chances

"They need us to provide them with the equipment," Allison told Sky Sports F1.

"But Lewis has proved seven times that he is World Championship material and he was the highest scoring non-Red Bull driver [in 2023].

"George made one or two errors during [2023], but equally, you've seen very strong performances from him in a number of races, and it has been quite a good learning experience for him in his second season with us.

"I'm certain that both men, with the right equipment could be World Champion if they fought hard and well enough."