The Team Principal of Mercedes, Toto Wolff, recently praised Red Bull’s RB20, which drew inspiration from Mercedes’ W13 and W14 models.
Unlike the dominant RB19, which won 21 out of 22 races in the previous season, the RB20 is a distinct car. Red Bull also incorporated elements of Mercedes’ unsuccessful no sidepods concept into the new RB20.
Wolff acknowledged that Red Bull opted for a revolutionary approach, which involves higher risk. However, this approach also presents greater potential for success compared to an evolutionary strategy. Wolff expressed admiration for the bold risk taken by Adrian Newey and his team.
Wolff emphasized that if Red Bull had adopted a more conservative approach, they could have further developed the already impressive RB19. However, by following a new concept, Red Bull placed greater pressure on the RB20 to perform at a similar level.
The Austrian Team Principal highlighted the importance of the car’s floor in determining its performance. According to Wolff, Formula 1 cars heavily rely on downforce and mechanical drivability. These cars are designed to prioritize downforce, which improves their speed and performance.
Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of 2024 to join Ferrari in 2025. Hamilton has achieved numerous records with Mercedes, including the highest number of wins and most appearances with a single engine manufacturer. Given his relationship with Hamilton over the past two years, it is likely that George Russell will be the driver Mercedes turns to in 2025.
Hamilton described Russell as a highly skilled and technical person who has made significant progress since joining Williams. Hamilton added that he has nothing more to say on the matter and concluded by stating that Russell has a close relationship with Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff.
After driving for Mercedes for the past 12 years and winning six championships, Hamilton’s departure may create tensions in the paddock. The identity of Hamilton’s replacement is still unknown, and it is uncertain how Mercedes will prioritize a potentially faster second driver over George Russell. Ultimately, the success of the season for Mercedes will be a crucial factor to consider.
