Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has poured cold water on hopes that his team could catch up with Red Bull in 2023. Speaking in a recent interview, Wolff said that it would be “unrealistic” to expect his team to bridge the gap to Red Bull in just one year.
Mercedes has been the dominant force in Formula One for the last seven seasons, winning every championship since 2014. However, in 2021, the team faced its toughest challenge yet from Red Bull, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez leading the charge for the Austrian team.
Despite the close battle, Mercedes was ultimately unable to retain its championship, with Verstappen and Red Bull taking the crown in the final race of the season. Many fans had hoped that Mercedes would bounce back in 2022, but Wolff’s comments suggest that the team is not expecting to regain its dominance anytime soon.
“I think it’s unrealistic to expect that we can catch up with Red Bull in just one year,” Wolff said. “They have been very strong in 2021, and they will only get stronger in 2022. We are working hard to improve our car, but it will take time.”
Wolff’s comments are likely to be disappointing for Mercedes fans, who have grown accustomed to seeing their team dominate the sport. However, the Austrian also emphasized that his team was not giving up on its pursuit of success.
“We are still committed to winning,” Wolff said. “But we know that it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to get back to the top. We are not going to give up, and we will keep pushing until we achieve our goals.”
The 2023 season is shaping up to be an intriguing one for Formula One fans, with Red Bull expected to continue its dominance and Mercedes hoping to mount a challenge. However, Wolff’s comments suggest that fans may have to wait a little longer before seeing a true battle between the two teams.
In the meantime, Mercedes will be hoping to make progress in 2022, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas leading the charge for the team. While catching up with Red Bull may be a tall order, Mercedes will be hoping to at least close the gap and challenge for victories throughout the season.
Overall, it seems that Mercedes fans will need to be patient in the coming years, as the team works hard to regain its place at the top of the sport. However, with a strong team and a winning mentality, there is no doubt that the team will be back in contention sooner rather than later.
