Red Bull can take advantage if Mercedes' "eye is off the ball" - Damon Hill

Red Bull

Red Bull can take advantage if Mercedes' "eye is off the ball" - Hill

Red Bull enters the French Grand Prix with a lead in both F1 championships

Ewan Gale

Monday 14 June 2021 10:35

Former F1 world champion Damon Hill believes an "opportunist" Red Bull can bring an end to Mercedes' domination if the Silver Arrows "take their eye off the ball".

Red Bull took the lead in the constructors' championship in Monaco and extended its advantage over rivals Mercedes to 26 points after a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix in which neither Lewis Hamilton nor Valtteri Bottas scored whilst Sergio Perez swept up victory after Max Verstappen's tyre failure.

After suggesting Mercedes will have to fight on both fronts with eyes on this year's car and next season's new regulations, Hill recognises Red Bull will have to follow suit but believes it has a chance to take advantage.

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"They are an opportunist team and I think they know that this is a chance for a championship," Hill told the F1 Nation podcast.

"They know if Mercedes slightly take their eye off the ball, they can slide in there with a slightly more competitive car than they have had."

Hamilton and Mercedes to show their best

After a difficult two races where only seven points were scored, Mercedes and Hamilton will enter the French Grand Prix weekend knowing a quick turnaround is needed to apply pressure to Red Bull.

With Hamilton adapting to the challenge of the immense pressure being applied by Verstappen, Hill has suggested the seven-time champion will show the sport his best form.

"It is great to see because we will see the best of Lewis and we will see the best of Mercedes," added Hill.

"It wasn't so long ago we were talking about Max making mistakes and costing himself points as well.

"It gets more like that when you get closer competition, especially between two teams.

"You see weak spots being exposed because you are under more pressure. Great for us, great entertainment and it is a really alive championship."