Last year, Mercedes were left wanting in their campaign to challenge Red Bull for the top spot. Not only did they fail to do that, but they also fell behind Ferrari, finishing 3rd in the standings. Moreover, they managed to win just one race, courtesy of their new recruit, George Russell. 2023 was supposed to be the year they pulled up their socks and got back to their winning ways. Lo-and-behold, this time there is another challenger beating them at their own game. What is more embarrassing is that the challenger is their power unit purchaser, Aston Martin. The unexpected competition gave rise to rumors of a rift between Toto Wolff and Lawrence Stroll. However, the Mercedes boss has ruled out such speculations while reiterating his commitment to his team’s progress.

Lawrence Stroll is one of the most sought-after team owners in F1 given the progress his team has made recently. The $3.6 billion worth (as per Forbes) mogul never wanted to see his team settle in the midfield. That attitude perhaps drove the team to excel. The latest to join him in the billion-dollar club is none other than the Mercedes boss himself. The duo has shared cordial relations over the years, but recent rumors suggest friction between them.

Putting those speculations to rest in a recent interview, Wolff told, “The latest rumors are false. Our relationship is still, although strictly professional, very good.”

“We know that now we fight face to face, but above this it is the prestige of Mercedes,” he added.

Read More: F1 Champ Serves a Crushing Blow to Lewis Hamilton’s Title Hopes While Showering Praise on Max Verstappen

The Silver Arrows finally pulled one over their Silverstone-based counterpart as Lewis Hamilton finished in P2 ahead of Fernando Alonso. The recent signs of resurgence have left the Spaniard scratching his head.

Fernando Alonso is afraid that Lewis Hamilton & Co. could pull ahead in the development race

Aston Martin may have started the season well with 3 consecutive P3 finishes courtesy of Alonso but Hamilton’s flawless performance in Australia was certainly a sight to behold. Owing to the cancellation of the Chinese GP, the championship is going through a 4-week break. That is something that the Oviedo-born isn’t fine with because it gives rivals a chance of developing their cars.

When asked if he is a fan of the long break, Motorsport-Magazin quoted Alonso as saying, “No, I would have preferred to continue racing.” [Translated using Google]

Team principal Mike Krack clarified why that was so. He told, “Now it’s a development race. We are fighting with people who have far more firepower than we have. In terms of personnel, infrastructure and experience.”

Watch This Story: How Aston Martin F1 Turned Around From a Struggling Mid-Field Team to Being the 2nd Fastest in 2023

Do you think the grid will change too much as the teams sport the first bout of changes in Baku? Give us your predictions in the comments.