Red Bull fear Mercedes more than Ferrari next season, reveals Marko

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko believes Mercedes, not Ferrari, pose the bigger threat next season – in no small part due to the quality of Lewis Hamilton.

2022 was a tough campaign for the Silver Arrows as they simply didn’t give Hamilton, or his team-mate George Russell, a car fast or consistent enough to trouble Max Verstappen.

But despite Ferrari being the closest challenger in 2022, Red Bull advisor Marko believes it is Mercedes who they should fear most next season. 

Red Bull were in a league of their own in 2022, winning both the driver and constructor titles

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have been tipped to be Red Bull’s toughest 2023 competition

‘Definitely Mercedes,’ the Austrian told Auto Motor und Sport when asked about 2023. ‘They are the more stable team. And they have [Lewis] Hamilton. 

‘Even if they may have gone downhill this year, they are still a very special team. In the meantime, [Hamilton’s] lap times have repeatedly shown that he is a top driver. [Mercedes] is just the much stronger package than Ferrari.’ 

Verstappen made lightwork of his rivals to win his second world championship, sealing it in the rain at Suzuka.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko says ‘top’ driver Hamilton makes Mercedes the most dangerous

Ferrari started the season strongly but soon found themselves making a series of strategic mistakes, costing Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz valuable podium finishes. 

For Marko, those mistakes on the Ferrari wall emboldened Red Bull. 

‘We certainly benefited from Ferrari’s strategic mistakes, from bad luck on their side, from the engine damage,’ the Austrian added. 

‘Over the course of the season they developed the car in such a way that it took more and more of the tyres. That’s what made us so confident in the race. I think that being 46 points down after the third race gave us a ‘now more than ever’ feeling.’ 

Many will expect Mercedes and their new W14 to come roaring back in 2023 as Hamilton seeks the record-breaking eighth world drivers’ title.

 Max Verstappen cruised to his second world championship last season with little competition

‘I’m definitely excited for 2023,’ Hamilton said recently.

‘These last few years have been so difficult for so many around the world, so many people struggling with the war and so many other things. I hope something kicks us al into gear to understand that we need to be more compassionate and caring to each other and I am praying for that all the time.

‘A new year to be better, a new year to climb, keep fighting and unite even more. And it’s another chance to fight for a World Championship.’