F1 pundit's damning verdict about Mercedes: "I'd be surprised if they had the fastest car next year"

F1 pundit Mark Hughes feels that Mercedes won't be able to make a championship-winning car even in the 2024 F1 season. The Silver Arrows have been struggling quite a bit in terms of pace and performance for the last couple of seasons. Though they have planned to take a new route to improve their car in 2023, it is safe to say that the performance recovery will take time.

Speaking on The Race F1 podcast, Hughes explained how the new upgrade package will help next year's car development if it works perfectly this season on the W14. However, the upgrades will not suddenly make Mercedes' 2024 Challenger excellent. He said:

"Yeah, if this update, which is, as we said, the first one from the perspective of trying to reach a different type of car. But if it gives them what they're expecting, then it's confirmation that they're on the right path, and then that will give them confidence for next year's car."

"That doesn't necessarily mean you have to take a year to catch up, because it's already established the direction things are gone. So I'd be surprised if they were able to bounce back like straight away next year with a car which can be as fast or faster than a Red Bull."

He later stated how the team made a mistake by following the same faulty concept two years in a row. Hence, the recovery process will take even longer as they plan to take a new path in development. The F1 pundit concluded that he would be surprised if Mercedes came out with a strong car even in 2024, saying:

"They've made it twice as hard a journey with the decision to stay with the basic concept for a second year, but it's still a journey that could well lead them back to being contenders again. But yeah, it's not going to be instant, and I'd be surprised if it came to be next year that they had the fastest car."

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George Russell not too hopeful from Mercedes' new upgrade

Mercedes was planning to introduce a new upgrade package for the 2023 F1 Emilia Romagna GP. However, George Russell admitted that it won't turn his team's fortunes around and suddenly make them quicker. However, he is hopeful that if the package works, it will be a great step in the right direction.

He told Motorsport.com:

"Imola is a new weekend. We'll have some new bits on the car. Hopefully, that's positive. It's not going to change the world for us in the short term, but hopefully, it's a step in the right direction."

Since the Emilia Romagna GP has been cancelled, Mercedes will have to bring their upgrades either in the Monaco GP next week, or in the Spanish GP after two weeks.