Ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has openly admitted that Mercedes are currently facing their “hardest task” since they started working together in 2013, catching Red Bull.
Red Bull have mastered the new aerodynamic regulations and are demonstrating a type of superiority not seen since the very start of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014, where Mercedes were unstoppable.
The Austrians claimed a mesmerising 17 wins last season and look set to match it or even eclipse it this season, with no side having what it takes currently to beat Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez.
Aston Martin are currently best placed to do so, but even they are well off Red Bull’s current pace.
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After just two races, Mercedes already find themselves 49 points behind the Milton Keynes-based team in the Constructors’ Championship, highlighting how impressive Red Bull have been.
It would come as absolutely no shock if Red Bull claim a third consecutive 1-2 finish this weekend, with Mercedes set to do battle with Aston Martin and Ferrari for the final step on the podium.
It’s truly the first time since the start of the turbo-hybrid era where Mercedes must respond, with 2022 in itself having been an odd season due to the new aerodynamic regulations.
Should Mercedes return to winning ways then 2022 will be seen as simply a blip in the Germans remarkable system, but failure to catch Red Bull this year will likely cement their place as a title challenger, rather than the title favourite.
Hamilton knows that his team have significant work to do and are facing a monumental challenge; however, the 103-time race winner recognises that catching Red Bull and actually overtaking them will perhaps be Mercedes’ biggest accomplishment to-date.
“We know we’re not perfect and we can always be better – that’s what we are always trying to do,” said Hamilton.
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“We don’t have a great car right now but we’re putting one foot in front of the other, and we know we can get back to the front.
“It’s going to be the hardest task we’ve faced together to get back to where we want to be and catch Red Bull.
“But what an accomplishment that will be.”