George Russell has said it is "impossible" to predict if Mercedes can challenge for World Championships in the next two years in Formula 1.
The team has not been in title contention since 2021, which was its last Constructors' Championship before Red Bull put an end to its eight-year run at the top.
Mercedes has struggled to get on top of the ground effect cars which were introduced in 2022, with the team electing to switch car concepts at the start of this year.
When asked whether they can catch up to Red Bull within the next two years, Russell told media including RacingNews365: "A projection is impossible to say because nobody would have projected the jump Aston Martin made over the winter.
"Nobody would have projected McLaren to be second or third fastest car after their first five races, so what's most important is we continue to look in the mirror at where we can improve.
"I think with the Aerodynamic Testing Restriction, it's no surprise to see a team like Williams making good progress with their development with having more time in the wind tunnel."
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Russell: We don't know what the others can do
Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director, Andrew Shovlin, conceded that reaching the big leaps in performance made by Aston Martin and McLaren would be a "stretch target" for the team.
The team has made it clear they want to fight for championships from next year, but Russell expects other factors to play a part in their resurgence.
"All of these factors and of course with the brilliance that we've got within our team, the goal is to be fighting for world championships next year," said Russell.
"But we're not going to sit here, hand on heart saying: 'That's what we're going to be able to achieve' because we don't know what the others can do."
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