P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The once-dominant Mercedes did not compete for the titles across the past two seasons. However, the Brackley-based team now claims it has a chance to actually challenge Red Bull and Max Verstappen. How realistic is that?
The past two seasons have been challenging for Mercedes, as they struggled to adapt to the new regulations and the failed zeropod concept. However, the team is confident that they will make significant progress this season. By the end of 2023, improvements were already visible after abandoning the zeropods and introducing a new floor. Despite not always being reflected in the results, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell appreciated the developments. Mercedes also secured a significant off-track achievement by extending the contracts of Team Principal Toto Wolff and Technical Director James Allison. Mercedes aims to bridge the gap with Red Bull, with Allison expressing optimism about the improvements made to the rear wing and overall performance. However, the mystery surrounding their rivals’ performance prevents excessive confidence.
