Challenging Red Bull 'Always Possible' Mercedes Team Principal Asserts

Wednesday, 17 January 2024 at 02:00

Toto Wolff declared in a recent interview he believes it is possible for Mercedes to challenge for the title this season.

Mercedes had a tough two seasons in 2022 and 2023 not being able to match Red Bull. Going into 2024, the German team promised great changes. On one hand, there is a higher risk that everything might get even worse.

On the other hand, the potential reward, or in this setting, potential performance gain, should be higher. The team principal of Mercedes already mentioned the initial simulations were looking promising.

However, Red Bull did go into the winter break with quite a headstart over its competitors. Is it possible for Mercedes to close such a significant gap? Toto Wolff told motorsport.com:

"Always believe it's possible. You cannot start the season with an attitude of 'This is not going to be possible.'"

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The team principal mentioned that he extended Lewis Hamiton's contract, whose only goals are to fight for race wins and Championships. He continued:

"We saw last year with McLaren what a huge step they made with a single upgrade. We've signed a two-year deal with Lewis, and we owe it to him, to George and to all the team to give it our full attention in 2024 and 2025. I think it's possible."

While McLaren showed what is possible last season in terms of progress, Red Bull has apparently already started focusing on the 2025 car, suggesting that the team is quite confident in their ability to beat everybody again this year. The team principal added:

"I think the regulations, how they were laid out a few years ago, we interpreted them in a very conservative way," he added. "And we've seen other teams doing it differently. So watch this space. I think it's going to be very different."