Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has conceded that the team are not close to be competing with Red Bull.
The Brackley-based team have struggled to perform in the ground-effect era, with George Russell claiming their only win since 2022 at the Brazilian Grand Prix. READ
Wolff has been remaining optimistic about the performance of their machinery and is hoping to build upon their second-place finish last season.
But 2024 has brought about more woes for the team, with the Australian Grand Prix being a miserable weekend for the team.
Mercedes have not won a race since 2022
Lewis Hamilton has struggled with the team’s machinery
Wolff: It’s an illusion for us to challenge Red Bull
Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 in Melbourne while Russell could only manage seventh. In the race, an engine failure forced Hamilton to retire on lap 17, while his team-mate crashed on the final lap in a double retirement for the team. Speaking with Ted Kravitz on Sky Sports F1 after qualifying, Wolff insisted that the team are trying to resolve their issues, but admitted that their performance is ‘not good enough.’
“Especially underwhelming because we were within a tenth in FP3,” he said. “The conditions were a little bit different but there is no excuse. “I think our car is tough. You can get in and out through a narrow window, and it’s boring to talk for a long time, you should always try. We have to try to do better.
Mercedes saw two slips in Australia.
“We’re here now not for lack of trying, but because we’re not good enough.“ The Austrian said he still believes Mercedes can win the W15, but not to the level where it can compete with Red Bull.
“ I think getting close to Red Bull in the short term is wishful thinking. But I still have to believe that there is more to this car,” he added. “But like I said, getting in and out of the performance window is very difficult and you have to keep working..
