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Mercedes predict 2019 title challenge from Red Bull

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Friday 12 October 2018 13:14

Mercedes believe the steps made by Honda could make Red Bull title contenders in 2019. Silver Arrows team principal Toto Wolff believes the changing form of Formula 1 will be thrown up in the air once again by next year's aerodynamic changes.

Red Bull will ditch Renault for Honda in 2019 after 12 years in partnership with the French marque, which included their title-winning run from 2010 to 2013.

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The Milton Keynes squad have taken just 11 wins in the hybrid era to Mercedes' 72 in the same period.

However, with Honda making strides in 2018 – helping Toro Rosso put two cars in Q3 at Suzuka last weekend – Wolff believes a renewed challenge could come from Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly.

Asked if Red Bull could be competitive next year, Wolff said: "Yeah, it could well be.

"Because we've seen there's no more pattern anymore, there's not one team that dominates one kind of circuit.

"It has changed, and the Honda engine certainly looks very powerful now, and Red Bull is a good group of racers.

"The biggest impact will be the completely new aerodynamic regulations.

"That will change everything upside down. Somebody might find a loophole or an innovation or understand how these cars work earlier than others.

"There's a big variable in those regulations next year, and we could even have teams being right up there that are not on the radar today."

VIDEO: Wolff terrifies Susie on Suzuka hot lap!
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