© Paul Ripke for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
During pre-season testing Mercedes rose up as a clear favourite in the 2020 F1 championship, but Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc believe the team can be beaten.
Mercedes on every F1 championship since 2014 and seems poised to be the team to beat in the 2020 champioship. However Kimi Raikkonen believes the team can be beaten.
“I don’t think they are invincible, they lost races, many, for years.” the Finn told El Pais.
“It is true that in recent seasons they have been at the top of the championship more often.
“The rules have changed and they have been more consistent lately and the fastest in most cases.”
Mercedes’ main challenger in recent years was Ferrari, however they seemed to struggle a lot during 2020 pre-season testing. Raikkonen believes the Italian team can still pose a challenge to Mercedes.
“They need more speed, basically, and to be more consistent.
“Only then can they turn the situation around and fight for the championship.
“They deserve it for all the history they have. I wish them the best.”
But setting aside the sheer dominance of Mercedes’ technical package, the German team has one more ace up their sleeve, one of the most successful and best drivers in the history of Formula 1 – Lewis Hamilton. The Briton won six F1 world championships, one less than the record holder Michael Schumacher.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen recently said Hamilton is very good, but “not God” and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc agrees.
“Max is right – nobody is unbeatable,” the Monegasque driver told Il Resto del Carlino.
“Not even Lewis, who is obviously a great champion.
Leclerc was asked if he would like to posses any of Hamilton’s skills.
“He is certainly much more experienced than me. He has been in Formula 1 since 2007, while I’ve only been here since 2018.
“Hamilton is more complete than I am. I must learn to manage the tyres better in a race. Lewis is phenomenal at that.”
