The Mercedes Formula 1 team are in a similar period of transition to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, believes ex-F1 driver and commentator Martin Brundle. Last season, Mercedes endured their worst season since 2011, winning only one race as they struggled to get to grips with the new ground-effect machines. Early optimism about the new W14 car was quickly cooled after a tricky pre-season test in Bahrain, including a torrid second day when handling and reliability issues kicked in. Lewis Hamilton has admitted that they have a "mountain" to climb to be on terms with pace-setters Red Bull in the early stages of the season, as he seeks his elusive eighth World Championship. Speaking after pre-season testing, Brundle believes the pattern of change currently going on at Premier League side Liverpool under manager Klopp can also be seen at Mercedes.
Since his appointment in 2015, Klopp had turned Liverpool from also-rans into title-winning contenders. He claimed the UEFA Champions League in 2019, before ending the 30-year wait for a league title in 2019/20, also adding trophies such as the FA and League Cups to his haul. However, this season has seen Liverpool drop off the pace, with the team not in the title battle and facing a scrap to maintain their Champions League status for next term. Boardroom changes, key personnel departing and a lack of confidence have hit the team, which is something Brundle feels can also be seen at Mercedes, who recently lost strategy chief James Vowles to Williams. "It's odd isn't it right now, look at Liverpool for example," Brundle explained on Sky's F1 Show . "Little nuances, where you change the personnel, and there's maybe a lack of confidence. "That's what I'm seeing at Mercedes at the moment. "I thought last year they would just ace that car really quickly. "When we saw it in the paddock a year ago, it was like: 'Nobody is going to see that for dust', which was wrong. "Clearly they've still got to finesse it, and they need to do it early. Remember, last year, [Max] Verstappen didn't score any points until the second race, and still smashed the World Championship. "They'll need to get in there quickly and sort it." Let us know what you think of Mercedes' chances in 2023 by voting in the poll below and in the comments section below!
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