Croft praises Russell-Hamilton combination: 'No second place, no'

The 2023 Formula 1 season did not start well for Mercedes. The W14 that George Russell and Lewis Hamilton drove was not exactly ideal, and both drivers struggled to join the top. As the season progressed, things continued to improve for the team. In the end, Mercedes still finished second in the constructors' championship. Sky Sports analyst David Croft is critical.

Croft saw no changes to concept W14 Mercedes

"I don't know what the reasoning was behind the scenes going into this season, but something stopped Mercedes approaching a different concept," Croft opined in Sky Sports' podcast. "Something stopped Mercedes doing what was glaringly obvious, and that was getting rid of the concept they had to go down a different path. They started the season once again with a car that was not befitting of where they wanted to be."

Despite Croft not really liking the car, he does have words of praise for team boss Toto Wolff, and drivers Russell and Hamilton. Indeed, without this combination, the constructor would not have finished in second place. At least, not according to Croft, he explained.

Croft on Wolff, Russell and Hamilton

"Now, fair play to Toto Wolff. He has made moves behind the scenes to address the problems. They have gone in a different direction now. He has signed both of his drivers up to new contracts, which I think was a massive plus point this year for Mercedes. They finished second, but without that driver combination, would they have finished second? No, I don't think so."