Mercedes’ gap to Red Bull at the start of the 2023 Formula 1 season “took some getting used to”, according to Technical Director James Allison.
For the second consecutive year, Mercedes started the campaign on the back foot and was unable to challenge at the front of the field.
The Brackley-based squad is still yet to take a race win this year, with Red Bull securing all grand prix victories on offer so far.
Mercedes has been introducing upgrades to bring itself back into contention, and on a handful of occasions, has appeared to possess the second-fastest car in the field.
However at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, it was behind Aston Martin and Ferrari, as well as runaway leaders Red Bull.
Allison says its pace at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix took some time to get used to.
“We started off with high hopes,” he said.
“Initially our position relative to the front of the field took some getting used to, but the subsequent reaction by the team has been admirable.
“Quite early, we got a handle on what had gone wrong and have steadily been putting it right since.”
Mercedes has scored a handful of podiums in the first 12 races and currently sits second in the Constructors’ Championship.
In 2022, it became more competitive towards the end of the season and prevailed at the Brazilian Grand Prix, which remains its last win in F1.
Mike Elliot, who works as Chief Technical Officer at Mercedes, admitted it was difficult to discover where its true pace was at the start of 2023.
“Last year we made gradual progress through the season,” he said.
“We got ourselves into a position where we had some confidence over the winter, hoping to start the season in a better place.
“To find out we weren’t was a kick in the teeth. But it’s been good to see the recovery path.
“If you look where we started and where we are now, compared to Aston and Ferrari, we have made good progress.”
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