© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
F1 journalist Chris Medland says Mercedes is “trying to talk Red Bull up so much that anything other than complete and utter dominance will be seen as a failure”.
After Red Bull’s dominant performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, George Russell immediately stated that he expects the Austrian team to win every race this season.
“Red Bull have got this championship sewn up,” the Briton said.
“I don’t think anyone will be fighting with them this year. They should win every single race this year, is my bet, with the performance they’ve got,” he concluded.
Even Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was pretty sure nobody will be able to stop Red Bull in 2023.
“After the first Grand Prix, I also believe that they will win every race this year,” Wolff told OE24.
However, in his latest column on RACER.com, Chris Medland said he believes Mercedes is “overselling” Red Bull’s advantage on purpose.
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“Russell is wrong,” Medland wrote.
“Red Bull should not win every single race. And Red Bull will not win every single race. It’s the longest season in F1 history, and there are still 22 races to run this year.
“Races that will test Red Bull in different ways, that will bring huge variations in conditions and incidents that could catch drivers out.
“And the Bahrain performance level is not guaranteed to be replicated everywhere else.
“Think back to Belgium last year, and Red Bull was in a completely different league to the rest of the field.
“Everything clicked and nobody could even get near Perez – who finished second – let alone Verstappen.
“On a very different track in Brazil seven rounds later, it was Mercedes that got it right and Russell took his maiden victory, leading home Hamilton in a one-two.
“What it feels like Russell is doing is trying to talk Red Bull up so much that anything other than complete and utter dominance will be seen as a failure.
“But there’s plenty to pin hopes on when it comes to those wanting a fight at the front.”
Medland then highlighted the surprising Aston Martin as a possible thorn in Red Bull’s side, and ultimately said it’s extremely unlikely that the Austrian team will be able to win every race, no matter their performance level.
“Red Bull is clearly the class of the field and the heavy favorite to win both titles given its form last year and starting point this.
“But there’s so much racing to be done that there’s just no realistic way of expecting it to win it all,” Medland concluded.
