Red Bull Keeps an Eye Out for “Top Pilot” Lewis Hamilton & Resurgent Mercedes Clan, but Double Down on “Best Driver” Max Verstappen

For the first time in his entire Formula 1 career, Lewis Hamilton went an entire season without a race win. The 7-time world champion challenged for the race wins towards the latter stages of 2022, but it remained elusive. Red Bull’s Helmut Marko, however, feels the dry run will not continue for too long for the Briton.

Mercedes’ 2022 season was full of struggles. The Brackley-based team battled the porpoising issue for at least the first half of the season. Barring the final few races, the car just lacked enough pace to pose a threat for the race win. The only saving grace was the 1-2 result at the Interlagos, where George Russell came out on top.

Helmut Marko thinks Lewis Hamilton’s dry spell will end next year

Red Bull just had one of their most dominant seasons ever. The Milton-Keynes-based team won the constructors’ championship while Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title. In doing so, the partnership between the team and the driver broke many records. While Ferrari posed a challenge for the first few races, Mercedes did for the final few. Keeping this in mind, Helmut Marko remains cautious of the imminent threat from Lewis Hamilton.

Marko told Sport Bild, “Ferrari is strong, but Mercedes will be stronger as a whole. Especially with a driver like Lewis Hamilton. He’s still a top pilot. Although Ferrari also has a very good driver in [Charles] Leclerc, he still makes mistakes.” [Translated using Google]

They asked the Red Bull advisor if he thought Hamilton’s 23-race winless streak will continue next year. Marko replied, “Unfortunately I’m afraid not. Mercedes fought their way to us over the year. Although they are not yet at eye level, they have more time in the wind tunnel to develop the car. But I’m not too worried. We are on the right track for 2023 and with Max we have the best driver in the field.”

Read More: Under Looming George Russell Threat, Lewis Hamilton Reveals Making Changes to His Role as a Response

FIA announced its sanctions on Red Bull for cost cap breach for the 2021 season. One reprimand, the reduction in wind tunnel time can affect their next year’s car development. A mindful Christian Horner recently warned his team from getting complacent.

Christian Horner’s warning to team Red Bull

Red Bull were found guilty of breaching the budget cap for the 2021 season. Resultantly, FIA sanctioned them with a $7 million fine and a 10% reduction of wind tunnel time. Team principal Christian Horner now wants his team to come out of the dominant 2022 euphoric season and put in the effort for next season.

GP Fans quoted him, saying, “You learn in this business never to expect a quiet life, especially when you are running at the front.” 

He continued, “Never be complacent about winning and enjoy every result, enjoy every victory and enjoy every moment because it is so well earned and it means so much that they should never be underestimated.”

Watch This Story: Helmut Marko blasts Lewis Hamilton for role in Michael Masi sacking

Do you think Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will stop the Red Bull juggernaut in 2023? Or has the Milton-Keynes-based outfit’s dominant run just begun?