Charles Leclerc says Mercedes will be part of Crimson Bull and Ferrari in a title battle this yr; On Hamilton: “We should not overlook what he is achieved within the sport and he nonetheless has it.”; Watch Mercedes’ automobile launch dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 at 9.15am on Wednesday

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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc says there was plenty of work on the reliability of the brand new SF-23 automobile and believes Lewis Hamilton might be concerned within the driver’s championship battle

Charles Leclerc is adamant that Mercedes will battle Crimson Bull and Ferrari for the System 1 title in 2023 and believes Lewis Hamilton can lead their restoration because the legendary driver “nonetheless has it”.

Mercedes will change into the penultimate staff to disclose their automobile on Wednesday, with the launch dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 and our YouTube and digital platforms from 9.15am earlier than a shakedown at Silverstone.

It’s a much-anticipated unveiling for a W14 that’s set to be much-changed from its underperforming predecessor, with Mercedes hoping to return to rivalry after falling from F1 domination to 3rd place final yr.

Ferrari driver Leclerc, who completed second behind Max Verstappen in 2022, is braced for an additional staff to affix the championship battle.

“As a lot as we’re motivated to win, we all know how troublesome it will likely be,” Leclerc informed Sky Sports activities Information after the launch of Ferrari’s new automobile, the SF-23, on Tuesday.

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Talking in Sky F1’s season evaluation, pundit Karun Chandhok says that out of each staff subsequent yr, Mercedes’ automobile will look probably the most totally different at pre-season testing

“Mercedes can even be there too after having a really robust finish to the season final yr so it is going to be a troublesome championship.”

Leclerc can also be predicting a Hamilton fightback.

After 5 titles in seven years to make him a seven-time champion, Hamilton endured his worst-ever F1 season final yr in sixth after struggling to familiarize yourself with the troublesome Mercedes automobile, and his new younger team-mate George Russell.

Leclerc harassed: “Lewis won’t ever be out of the query for championship battle.

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Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz says that the staff know what they should enhance on in the event that they wish to go one step additional and win titles this season

“I am fairly certain if he has the automobile he might be there. We should not overlook what he is achieved within the sport and he nonetheless has it, we noticed that many occasions final yr.

“Lewis might be there, like Crimson Bull might be too and I hope it is going to be an awesome battle.”

Hamilton is aiming for a report eighth championship in 2023.

What to anticipate from Mercedes launch and learn how to watch

Mercedes have hinted at huge adjustments for his or her new automobile after admitting they bought it badly improper with their 2022 idea after the principles refresh. Crucially, the eight-time world champions found out the issue simply in time to work on this yr’s automobile, which can have a distinct “DNA”.

“The DNA of the automobile goes to vary, it is clear,” mentioned staff principal Toto Wolff final yr.

“It would not essentially imply that the bodywork goes to look very totally different however actually what’s a part of the DNA of the automobile with the structure will change for subsequent yr.”

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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc drives the brand new SF-23 automobile for the primary time round their well-known Maranello base

It stays to be seen how a lot Mercedes reveal at their launch, though there are certain to be some noticeable variations from the W13 instantly. A silver livery, in the meantime, can also be anticipated to remain.

You possibly can watch the launch dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 at 9.15am, whereas it should even be dwell on our app, web site, and YouTube.

There may be another launch after Mercedes – that of Alpine on Thursday evening – earlier than pre-season testing on February 23-25 and the season-opening Bahrain GP on March 5.