F1 information LIVE: Mercedes title speak dismissed by Red Bull chief Helmut Marko forward of Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon has been branded as ‘not extremely popular’ amongst F1 drivers due to his behaviour whereas racing.

He usually seems as one of many nicest individuals within the sport when away from the observe, with Sky Sports’ Naomi Schiff saying that “he’s so friendly, always got a smile on his face, always says hello”.

However, she added that “amongst the drivers, he’s not extremely popular and I think that’s because of his on-track behaviours. That helmet comes on and a demon comes out”.

Speaking throughout the Bahrain Grand Prix race weekend, Schiff was joined by Nico Rosberg, the 2016 World Champion. He mentioned that Ocon “really loves to get his elbows out with his teammates and he’s loved colliding with his teammates in the past”.

Ocon’s new Alpine teammate is fellow Frenchman Pierre Gasly. The two reportedly have a less-than-friendly relationship, and Rosberg is clearly trying ahead to seeing them race collectively.

Mercedes vowed they “won’t panic or make knee-jerk reactions” as they appear to get better from their depressing begin to the brand new Formula One season.

Both Hamilton and Russell completed greater than 50 seconds behind winner Verstappen, who made an ominous begin to his bid for a 3rd successive title and raised additional questions as as to whether the Silver Arrows – who received a document eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships up till 2021 – can mount a problem this yr.

Hamilton complained earlier than the race that his group had been on the “wrong track” and on Wednesday the seven-time world champion mentioned that Mercedes had ignored him over the event of their 2023 automotive.

With the group now making ready for this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Mercedes on Saturday revealed an open letter to followers admitting they’d been “hurt” by their displaying in Bahrain whereas additionally issuing a rallying cry to all supporters.

Red Bull particular advisor Helmut Marko believes the World Championship is already out of attain for Mercedes after a gap race to neglect in Bahrain.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell completed fifth and seventh respectively however their W14 automobiles struggled for tempo and had been almost a second-a-lap slower than Max Verstappen’s Red Bull within the grand prix.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff mentioned over the course of final weekend that the Silver Arrows should change their strategy already, with their distinctive ‘zero-pod’ philosophy failing to supply outcomes final yr and the early indicators not promising this yr both.

Marko, who works alongside Christian Horner and chief designer Adrian Newey at Red Bull, dismissed his rival’s prospects in 2023 – including that in an period of price cap they can’t simply “design two or three different cars.”

“The world championship title is out of reach for Mercedes,” Marko, 79, instructed French radio station RTL.

“Mercedes does not have one problem with the concept this year, but several. They have not been able to find a solution in the winter.

“It will be difficult: you can’t just design two or three different cars. It will be tricky with the budget cap. A new car doesn’t just work either, because you have to be competitive from the start. They lack the test days and race experience.”