For eight long years, Mercedes was the top dog in Formula 1. The Brackley outfit won the constructor’s championship eight consecutive times, a record! However, ever since the start of the 2022 season, the German team is swimming in unchartered waters. This role reversal forced on Mercedes by Red Bull was difficult to accept in 2022. However, in 2023, Mercedes is much more accepting of their errors and even revamped their car before the Monaco GP. The consistently positive results following the upgrades were a major morale boost for the team. Building on that, Lewis Hamilton and Co. are finally understanding, accepting, and more importantly, loving the challenge of catching Red Bull.

Initially, even Hamilton supported the zeropod concept and confessed Mercedes will not follow the Red Bull route. However, the flaws of the design soon became clear, and the team ditched the concept. It turned out to be the right decision with race results in Spain and Canada as proof. This aspect of now heading in the right direction and attempting to catch Red Bull is “exhilarating” for the team according to technical director James Allison as quoted by Planet F1.

“We’re all going to feel a bit miffed about [not being competitive], even though that sort of unhappiness we see every time they win is offset hugely by the fact that it is thrilling in its own way to be fighting back, to be improving our car week-on-week,” Allison said. “It’s a very, very exhilarating thought once you frame it correctly in your head, and something that we’re all tucked into trying to make a reality,” he concluded.

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However, there is still a long way to go for Mercedes to catch the vastly superior RB19. Although, if anyone can, Hamilton can!

Red Bull’s Helmut Marko believes Lewis Hamilton can become a source of misery for Max Verstappen

The Brit is wearing the same shoes Verstappen did in 2020. Max Verstappen was falling just a little short of fighting for the championship in front of the superior Mercedes challenger. However, the 2021 season was when Red Bull caught up and dethroned Hamilton. The Brit is far from doing so in the current season. However, if Mercedes keeps closing the gap, Hamilton might be able to secure a race win or two. Or at least this is what Red Bull’s Helmut Marko believes.

“In a way, young people should be ashamed of themselves. The big two, who are the only ones who can ‘pi** off’ Max Verstappen, add up to 80 years: Alonso and Hamilton!” There is no denying that no other driver on the grid looks close to challenging Verstappen. So it might very well be Hamilton or Alonso who steals a win away from the Dutchman.

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However, even without no upgrades from Red Bull so far, the RB19 is seconds away from the AMR23 and W14. Will fate have to play a part in Verstappen, not winning a race or the two veterans use his wealth of experience? It will be an interesting fight if it ever comes to that.