![\"\"](\"https:\/\/7sport.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/verstap1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nTwo-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen says Mercedes will be Red Bull Racing’s main rival this season, provided the Brackley squad fields an improved car.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ferrari and Charles Leclerc were Red Bull and Verstappen’s undisputable main rivals in the first half of the season, but the Dutchman sees Mercedes taking over the Scuderia’s challenger role, if its W14 silver arrow proves to be worth its salt.<\/p>\n
“I think even at the end of the year it looked like sometimes they [Mercedes] had it together, and sometimes not,” reigning champion Verstappen, who will be searching for his third consecutive world title this season, said.<\/p>\n
“So, from my side, it\u2019s difficult to say because I\u2019m not part of the team, but I guess we\u2019ll find out this year.<\/p>\n
“If they fully understand everything they wanted to improve on the car, of course, they will be our main rival.”<\/p>\n
Last year, Mercedes’ new-generation W13 was plagued with aerodynamic issues \u2013 mainly chronic porpoising \u2013 that weighed heavily on the performance of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.<\/p>\n
The team’s relentless efforts, however, eventually led to progress in the back half of the season, with Russell clinching a dominant win in the penultimate round of the 2022 championship in Brazil.<\/p>\n
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