Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes is a 'long way' behind Red Bull

The Japanese Grand Prix highlighted just how far behind Mercedes have fallen, as they were only the fourth-quickest car on the track.

Max Verstappen's Red Bull was back in first position at the Suzuka Circuit while McLaren enjoyed a terrific result with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri claiming podium finishes.

Hamilton believes McLaren has now showed the rest of the chasing pack how to catch Red Bull when choosing a design direction for 2024.

However, the Brit is well aware that it will be a huge challenge considering the size of the gap.

"I have no idea where the car is going to be next year, but we're a long, long way away," he told Sky. 

"We've got to hope for the next six months to be the greatest six months of development that we've ever had to close that gap and to be really banging on the door. 

"The evidence is there at McLaren, and we can't turn a blind eye to that - to look at what they've done and go in that direction. That is the direction.  

"But I truly believe my team can do it, and we've always been great at putting downforce on the car. It's just that, with the way our car currently works, adding downforce doesn't work, it just makes it bounce more.

"Hopefully with a change in philosophy, we'll be back to where the team deserves because this is a world championship team, we still are an amazing team. 

"I have absolute faith in everyone but decisions that are made in this period of time are critical for our trajectory."  

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