Todt: people don't "realise how difficult it is to achieve” Mercedes’ success

FIA president Jean Todt has said that people don’t realize “how difficult it is to achieve” the level of success that Mercedes have the past six years against the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull, comparing it to the Scuderia’s success when he was team principal.

Mercedes wrapped up their sixth constructors and drivers titles in a row in 2019, having dominated Formula 1 since the introduction of the hybrid era in 2014.
 
Todt, who led the Ferrari team in the early 2000’s that won six constructors titles in a row from 1999-2004, including five drivers titles, said it brought back some memories seeing the Silver Arrows’ success.
 
“It’s amazing,” he said, as quoted by RACER.com. “I don’t think people realise how difficult it is to achieve that.
 
“To do that six years in a row is remarkable, particularly when you have other teams like Ferrari, Red Bull — now with Honda — and great drivers.”

“I have full respect and it reminds me of some memories.

"Even if I must admit that they did better — six and six, we did six and five — and with a strong competition."

The first few years of the hybrid era saw Mercedes far out in front compared to its competitors.

Ferrari and Red Bull gained ground though, making them contenders the past few years but still couldn’t match the level of performance consistently throughout the season to the Silver Arrows.

“I feel that the championship was very difficult for them, much more than it may look," said Todt of Mercedes' 2019.

"But simply it’s a combination: you must have a great driver, a great car and a great team, because it’s so competitive.

“If you don’t have those three together it cannot work."