Red Bull fears Mercedes MORE than Ferrari for their title defense next season, chief Helmut Marko reveals… pointing to ‘top driver’ Lewis Hamilton as a big reason why Silver Arrows are the bigger threat
Mercedes has been tipped to be a bigger threat to Red Bull than Ferrari
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has pointed to the quality of Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes struggled in 2022, but is widely expected to recover in 2023
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Red Bull chief Helmut Marko believes Mercedes, not Ferrari, will be the bigger threat next season – not least because of the quality of Lewis Hamilton.
2022 has been a tough campaign for the Silver Arrows as they simply didn’t give Hamilton, or his teammate George Russell, a car fast or consistent enough to bother Max Verstappen.
But despite Ferrari being the biggest challenger in 2022, Red Bull adviser Marko believes it’s Mercedes they should fear most next season.
Red Bull was in a league of its own in 2022, winning both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are tipped to be Red Bull’s toughest competition of 2023
“Definitely Mercedes,” said the Austrian Auto Motor and Sports when asked about 2023. “They are the more stable team. And they have [Lewis] Hamilton.
“Even though they have gone downhill this year, they are still a very special team. Meanwhile, [Hamilton’s] lap times have repeatedly shown that he is a top driver. [Mercedes] is just the much stronger package than Ferrari.’
Verstappen made light work of his rivals to win his second world championship, sealing it in the rain at Suzuka.
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko says ‘top’ driver Hamilton makes Mercedes the most dangerous
Ferrari started the season strongly, but soon made a series of strategic mistakes that cost Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz valuable podiums.
For Marko, those mistakes on the Ferrari wall encouraged Red Bull.
“We certainly benefited from Ferrari’s strategic mistakes, from bad luck on their part, from the engine damage,” added the Austrian.
“Over the course of the season they developed the car to take more and more of the tyres. That’s what gave us so much confidence in the race. I think being 46 points behind after the third race gave us a ‘now more than ever’ feeling.’
Many will expect Mercedes and their new W14 to come roaring back in 2023 as Hamilton seeks the record-breaking eighth drivers’ world title.
Max Verstappen drove to his second world championship last season with little competition
“I’m definitely excited for 2023,” Hamilton said recently.
“The past few years have been so difficult for so many around the world, so many people struggling with the war and so many other things. I’m hoping something kicks us all into gear to understand that we need to be more compassionate and caring for each other and I pray for that all the time.
“A new year to get better, a new year to climb, keep fighting and unite even more. And it’s another chance to fight for a world championship.’
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