Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff believes his driver line-up is the best in Formula 1 and can take the fight to reigning World Champion Max Verstappen with the “right car”.
The Brackley squad was in the midst of an unprecedented run of eight consecutive Constructors’ titles when it promoted George Russell to partner Lewis Hamilton in 2022.
However, Russell’s arrival coincided with an overhaul to the technical regulations that have led to Mercedes only bagging a solitary victory over the past two seasons combined.
Meanwhile, Red Bull has capitalised on their rival’s plight to dominate, winning 38 of the 44 races to have taken place en route to securing successive championship doubles.
Amid the German marque’s decision to pursue a revised car concept in 2024, Wolff is confident that his current pairing could usurp Verstappen with a capable challenger.
When asked if he believed Hamilton and Russell formed the strongest driver duo on the F1 grid, Wolff told RacingNews365: “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.”
Russell thrived in his debut year with Mercedes, becoming only the third F1 team-mate to outscore Hamilton and notching the Silver Arrows’ sole pole position and victory.
However, the Briton endured a challenging sophomore season with Mercedes, rueing several missed opportunities as he wound up a huge 59 points behind his team-mate.
After previously admitting that the evolving disparity between his two drivers was “difficult to “comprehend”, Wolff asserts the fragility of Mercedes’ W14 car was to blame.
“Everybody needs some feedback,” Wolff added regarding Russell’s troubled season. “He’s a very strong character and he came out of the summer [break] very strong.
“He changed his approach a little bit and that was good. Then it swung the other way around.
“Lewis performed in an extraordinary way but I think these swings they happen. They happen from track to track with this fragile cars you know you can come from a very good weekend to a very bad [one] suddenly.
“Everyone needs an arm around the shoulder. I have my wife who puts an arm around my shoulder.”
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