Mercedes and Red Bull have been in a rivalry for years, the tensions between the two champion teams peaking in 2021 when Max Verstappen took the championship from Lewis Hamilton in the final race at Abu Dhabi. Since then, Mercedes has only won a single race in two years.

Though Mercedes managed decent positions in the Constructors’ Championship, they have not matched Red Bull at all in the last two years. However, Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff believes that given the right car, Hamilton and teammate George Russell would both beat triple champion Max Verstappen.

If we give them the right car, yes. I think there’s a few others, Max you cannot doubt him. He’s already one of the best drivers. If you give our [drivers] a great car, then we’ll be right there.

Wolff said, as reported by motorsportweek.com

Red Bull has completely dominated the past two years of F1, winning 38 of the 44 races since. The dominant champions have announced that their 2024 car will be even faster than the RB19, giving their rivals a bigger challenge to overcome.

Toto Wolff denies resignation prospects after winless Mercedes season

Mercedes had their worst years in the past decade in 2022 and 2023, failing to match the leaders at the top of the table. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who recently was investigated by the FIA for rumors of leaking information, has been under scrutiny for his management of the team.

The Austrian team boss has headed Mercedes as CEO and team principal for over a decade. Still, after a difficult period for the Brackley-based team, he was asked about potential retirement in the future. Toto Wolff denied such possibilities, saying he had much more to contribute to the eight-time Constructors’ Champions.

No, I don’t, because I still think that I can contribute to the team in my area of expertise. That is, I think, keeping it together, although I’m very emotional sometimes.

Wolff said about potential resignation, as reported by PlanetF1

Mercedes has a strong driver line-up for the 2024 season, with both drivers having taken race victory with the team. Russell and Hamilton have given each other strong competition in their two years as teammates, contributing to Mercedes’ second place in the Constructors’ Standings in 2023.

In case you missed it:

• Max Verstappen admits he was ‘very ill’ after Abu Dhabi season finale
• Otmar Szafnauer claims Alpine didn’t “fight” to keep Oscar Piastri

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