Verstappen and Red Bull warned: 'Hamilton can make it difficult for Max'

Red Bull's dominant Formula 1 campaign saw it win 21 out of 22races this year but ex-Formula 1 driver Christian Klien believesthe Milton Keynes-based squad is set to face stronger competitiongoing forward. Mercedes, who dominated the turbo-hybrid era forseveral seasons, has struggled ever since new technical regulationswere introduced last year. After finishing second in theConstructors' Championship this season, the German manufacturer isset to unveil a completely revamped car in 2024 compared to itspredecessor as it goes in pursuit of rivals Red Bull. RacingNews365spoke with former Red Bull driver Klien, who is hopeful thatMercedes will be closer to Mercedes when the new season getsunderway. "They have to start from scratch,” Klien said. “That'stricky, you have to know the direction you are going. Hopefullythey've got enough ideas and collected enough data to create a newcar that works perfectly under these regulations. "The problem withthis and the previous car was that in terms of aerodynamics,Mercedes did not yet know which way to go and where the sweet spotlay. “Moreover, there was probably a fundamental problem with thechassis, wheelbase and geometry, so it just didn't work. So theyhave to build a whole new car. It's not an evolution like theMcLaren was this year, for example." You should not underestimateLewis. He is a top-class driver. He hasn't lost any of hisqualities. Christian Klien Does Hamilton still have it? Despite hisdifficulties at the wheel of the W14, Lewis Hamilton drove the carto third place in the Drivers' Championship and even offered amoderate threat to Sergio Perez for the runner-up spot. In hissecond season with Mercedes, George Russell slipped to eighth placein the standings as he endured a more difficult campaign. How doesKlien view the internal battle? "This year Hamilton was much betterthan Russell. Last year the roles were reversed. Maybe Hamilton wasnot 100 per cent motivated last year, because he was a seven-timeWorld Champion with a car that was not performing. “He invested alot of time helping the team improve a car that was notcompetitive. "Lewis showed his class, with some very good raceswhere he showed what the car was capable of. He was more consistentthan George. George was unfortunate, but also had some problemswith the way the car worked." Hamilton went head-to-head with MaxVerstappen for the F1 title in 2021 and lost out in controversialcircumstances. Having been out of the competitive spotlight for twoyears now, Klien is confident that Hamilton can still offerVerstappen a challenge if the car is capable of competing at thefront. "You should not underestimate Lewis. He is a top-classdriver. He hasn't lost any of his qualities. A bit like FernandoAlonso - give him the right car and he'll show what he's able todo. If he has the right car and finds extra motivation, then he candefinitely be one who gives Max a run for his money.” Klien is alsoconfident that once Hamilton hangs up his helmet, Russell will bepoised to take over the leadership role at Mercedes. "I think so.Russell is good. He showed that last year that he is ready. Thisyear he struggled, but that's part of the learning curve. He'sstill young and has many years to go. I definitely think he can bethe captain at Mercedes in the future." Red Bull must watch out forMcLaren While Mercedes' Team Principal Toto Wolff argued that hisdriver line-up is the strongest in F1, Klien pointed to anothersquad that can claim such a label. "They have one of the bestlineups, especially in terms of experience. McLaren also has a verygood lineup. I'm really curious about [Oscar] Piastri next year.I've been talking to Mark Webber [Piastri's manager] about Oscarregularly and he too can't wait to see what his driver can show in2024. "Piastri has already shown what he has to offer, how steephis learning curve is, really great. He still lacks the raceexperience to understand all three types of tyres. They can bedifferent and the tyre management involved is not the same. [Lando]Norris still has an advantage in that area. “Ferrari should not beforgotten either, when we talk about the lineup. Both drivers arevery good. So Red Bull must be careful and get the best out of[Sergio] Perez, because the other teams are narrowing the gap."With McLaren deploying a successful development programmethroughout the year that saw it rise from back-of-the-gridcompetition to podium-scoring form, Klien didn't rule out thepossibility of the Woking-based squad making a push for the title."Everything is possible! Red Bull has shifted the focus very earlythis year to 2024. They have the best car, but not by miles, so itcould be the case that they (McLaren) will be competing for theConstructors' title."