Martin Brundle has summed up Mercedes’ woes in a brutal manner by likening them to a “midfield car” after watching Max Verstappen breeze past George Russell in the middle of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Mercedes are in a sticky situation for the 2023 season with Lewis Hamilton and Russell unable to challenge at the front of the grid once again.

They’ve seemingly fallen even further behind Red Bull this season with Hamilton finishing nearly a second behind Verstappen at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Toto Wolff has admitted that Mercedes will begin scrapping the ‘zeropod’ concept of their car with changes expected to be visible on the bodywork in a few months.

For now, both drivers are in a battle with Aston Martin and Ferrari in their attempts to stay in the championship fight.

But their pace compared to the Red Bull was clear for all to see after the Safety Car at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

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