Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has delivered a clear message to his team ahead of the winter break, urging them to “get their acts together” as they prepare for the development of a competitive car for the 2024 season. The Silver Arrows finished second in the 2023 Constructors’ Championship, trailing behind Red Bull by a significant margin.
Despite securing second place in the championship with George Russell’s podium finish in Abu Dhabi, Mercedes acknowledged the substantial performance gap to Red Bull throughout the season. Red Bull finished the campaign with 860 points, leaving Mercedes 451 points behind. Even in the season finale, Red Bull maintained a considerable lead despite focusing on the development of the successor to the RB19.
When questioned about Mercedes’ ability to challenge Red Bull by the end of the 2024 season, Wolff stressed the importance of the new season starting with a completely new car, presenting both opportunities and risks. While aiming high, Wolff acknowledged the realistic assessment that they finished second to a team that consistently outperformed others.
Wolff emphasized that in the competitive world of Formula 1, Mercedes must “get their act together” and expressed hope that they would be the team to challenge Red Bull. The team principal highlighted the meritocracy of the sport, where the best driver and car combination prevails.
Looking ahead, Wolff acknowledged that if Mercedes can produce a car capable of challenging Red Bull consistently, Lewis Hamilton would have a realistic chance at securing his record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship. He expressed confidence in Hamilton’s abilities, stating that whenever the driver has a competitive car, he becomes a formidable force on the track. Wolff concluded by emphasizing the team’s responsibility to provide Hamilton with a competitive car for the upcoming season.
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