2023-08-11 15:07:55
Mercedes F1 technical director James Allison said the gap to Red Bull at the start of 2023 “took some getting used to”. For the second year in a row, Mercedes F1 started the season on the back foot and was unable to break into the top ranks. The team has yet to win a race this year, with Red Bull winning all 12 Grands Prix to date.
Mercedes F1 continues to upgrade to join the race for victory once more and has appeared to have the second-fastest car in the field on several occasions. However, at the season-opening Bahrain GP, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and the leading Red Bull were trailing behind. Allison said it took him some time to get used to the pace at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. “We started with high hopes,” Allison said. “Initially it took us some time to get used to our position relative to the leaders, but the team’s reaction following that was commendable,” he said. Since then, we have steadily worked our way through the problem.” Mercedes F1 has scored several podiums in the first 12 races and is currently second in the Constructors’ Championship. In the 2022 season, Mercedes became more competitive towards the end of the season, winning the Brazilian Grand Prix, its last win in F1. Mercedes chief technical officer Mike Elliott admitted it was difficult to determine Mercedes’ true pace at the start of 2023. “Last year we made gradual progress throughout the season,” Elliott said. “We wanted to be able to start the season with some confidence over the winter,” he said. “It was frustrating when we found out otherwise. “If you look at where we started and where we are now compared to Aston and Ferrari, we are making good progress.”
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