Helmut Marko “wouldn’t assume” Mercedes can “make the golden shot” with devising a new car concept

Helmut Marko doesn't see how Mercedes can "put together a completely new car" - especially considering F1 is now in a budget cap situation.

Helmut Marko “wouldn’t assume” Mercedes can “make the golden shot” with devising a new car concept

Mercedes' team principal Toto Wolff (L) | Helmut Marko (R)

Like it was in 2022, the start of the season has been rather disappointing for Mercedes. Back then, they had been third-best on pace but were able to salvage a 3-4 result as both Red Bulls retired. At least that was some consolation. Their result was improved by a DNF ahead this season too, but it was still considerably worse. The W14 looked like the fourth-best car at last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, and Lewis Hamilton finished 5th while George Russell finished 7th.

There had been some talk that Mercedes could be involved in a three-way title fight in 2023: Right now, it’s hard to see that happening. The team also seem to have admitted defeat with the ‘zeropods’ concept, and devising a developing a new one will take some time – so a part of the season will likely be ‘sacrificed’. George Russell has even suggested that 2023 may have to be ‘sacrificed” so that they could finally have a competitive package in 2024.

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On the other hand, Red Bull had a superb start to the season, with a 1-2 finish – a far cry from the double retirement of 2022. While it’s possible that other teams will fight back in the next few races, right now, Red Bull looked like a good bet to repeat their success from 2022. Looking at the competition, particularly Mercedes, Helmut Marko commented to OE24: “Mercedes has more than one construction site, that’s clear. They haven’t made any progress from last season.”

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Read More: Toto Wolff reveals Mercedes are facing a dilemma regarding ‘car concept’

Helmut Marko: Mercedes “got lost somewhere”

Helmut Marko
Helmut Marko

Mercedes looked like the third-best car in Bahrain last season. This remained the case for most of the year, though they often served as Red Bull’s closest competition in the second half of the season. But this time around – the W14 looked like the fourth-best car. So, this can be seen as a step backward, and Helmut Marko did remark on this. The Red Bull consultant said: “If you look at the gaps, it was even a step backwards.”

When asked for a possible explanation for Mercedes’ current situation, the Austrian said: “Apparently they got lost somewhere. I’m curious to see how they continue now. Due to the cost cap, it is already such a problem to routinely develop the car further. How are you supposed to put together a completely new car? [That is,] Unless they make the golden shot, which I wouldn’t assume based on recent experience[s].”

Starting behind at the start of new regulations does not help. And the fact that they even seem to have “gone backwards”, at least in terms of the pecking order, is even worse. But Bahrain is kind of a unique circuit, and the Silver Arrows’ fortunes may improve soon, or maybe not. Fans will get a clearer picture of how the season should go after the next two races, in Saudi Arabia and Australia.

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