Mercedes have not had the best season possible in 2023, as they are set to finish their first season without a win since the 2011 season more than a decade ago. The Brackley-based team has not been on Red Bull’s level throughout 2023, as Max Verstappen led Red Bull to dominant titles for Driver and Constructor.

Mercedes suffered further disappointment at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as they lost ground to rivals Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell both managed only seventh and eighth respectively. Indycar race winner Danica Patrick claimed that Toto Wolff looked defeated and frustrated after a long, mostly uncompetitive season for the team.

They’ve got so much better throughout the year, but nothing to show for it. You can sense, Toto looked defeated, frustrated, tired maybe.

Danica Patrick said, as reported by crash.net

Mercedes now stands at 392 points, second in the Constructors’ standings. Right behind them are the Scuderia Ferrari, four points behind with 388, looking to close the gap in the final round at Abu Dhabi. Mercedes will be hoping to prevent Ferrari from repeating their result of finishing second behind Red Bull, as they did in 2022.

Toto Wolff claims Lewis Hamilton and George Russell missed out on podiums at Las Vegas GP

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell did not have satisfactory results at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, finishing seventh and eighth respectively. With insufficient points to extend their lead over Ferrari, Mercedes’ weekend at the Sin City was far from ideal.

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff thought the race had potential for the Brackley-based team. Wolff said Hamilton’s lap times were matching Charles Leclerc’s when there was no traffic. However, the 7x World Champion was caught up in two different incidents which hindered his race. His teammate George Russell was hit with a five-second penalty for contact with Max Verstappen. Wolff claimed bad luck had struck the team once more, and podiums were possible for both drivers.

It summarises the season. You make your own luck, but we had more bad luck and today. Seventh, eighth – the two cars could have been on the podium, but they weren’t.

Toto Wolff said, from formula1.com

Lewis Hamilton enters the final round at Abu Dhabi all set to extend his winless streak to two whole seasons, last having won at Sao Paulo 2021. George Russell’s latest and only win is also at Sao Paulo, as he emerged ahead in the Mercedes 1-2 in 2022.

In case you missed it:

• Former F1 driver snubs Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, labels Fernando Alonso as the ‘best F1 driver for uncompetitive machinery’
• Christian Horner claims Max Verstappen deserves ‘some respect’ over his Las Vegas GP criticism

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