No Formula One driver will be able to compete with Red Bull's three-time world champion Max Verstappen this season, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said on April 6 after the Dutchman dominated the Japanese Grand Prix.
The frank assessment of Red Bull's closest rivals last season came after Verstappen finished the race almost 13 seconds clear of his teammate Sergio Perez and 20 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
"No one is going to catch Max this season. His driving and the car are just spectacular," Wolff said.
"Basically this season now is best of the rest...
"Hopefully we catch up to the McLarens and then the Ferraris and fight for P2. This is what it is this year." Mercedes just pipped Ferrari to second in the constructors' championship last season with 409 points but were miles off Red Bull's 806-point haul.
The team that boast seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton have had a troubled start to 2024, lying fourth in the standings behind Ferrari and McLaren.
Hamilton finished ninth at Suzuka, with his teammate George Russell in seventh, after a tyre strategy that backfired.
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