F1 | Volwes expects a balanced season between Mercedes and Red Bull

James Volwes he doesn't believe that Mercedes will be able to regain the performance gap shown on the Red Bull until the end of last year. In an in-depth analysis published by the world champion team on YouTube, the "Chief Strategist" of the Anglo-German team analyzed the performances shown by the W12 and from RB16B in Bahrain, home to the three-day pre-season test, highlighting how Max Verstappen e Sergio Perez immediately showed a great feeling with the new single-seater, despite the lack of grip and the wind present at Sakhir.

Important indications, highlighted in recent days also by Toto wolff, which open up scenarios that have so far been little considered, given the regulatory stability between 2020 and 2021. VolwesPrecisely in this sense, we expect an extremely balanced season, with the values ​​at stake which could vary based on the temperatures and the layout of the circuits on the calendar. A year where Mercedes he will have to give 110% to confirm himself at the top.

“There are a lot of unknowns at play,” explained the British engineer. “No one inside the paddock can indicate exactly the hierarchies within the starting grid. Some trends that have emerged, however, point to one Red Bull extremely competitive and certainly favorite in Bahrain. They are ahead in terms of performance and next week they will probably be the reference of the class."

“We will have a balanced season, that's for sure,” he continued. " Red Bull he is a ferocious opponent and can count on a very strong package. They came out of the blocks with determination and speed. All this will lead to a "labile" championship with values ​​that will fluctuate from circuit to circuit. In general I believe that we will be close and that we will not regain that gap of advantage that we could count on until last year."