Leclerc expects three-way F1 title fight in 2023 as he predicts Mercedes' resurgence

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc anticipates Mercedes will step back up to the plate in 2023, though he is not seeing another team who could tag along with them.

The new-for-2022 Technical Regulations, working in tandem with the budget cap, was to create a more level pack competing in overtaking-friendly challengers.

However, the grid actually spread out slightly for that first season, Red Bull and Ferrari establishing themselves as the pacesetters, with Mercedes only challenging on occasion, their highlight being a one-two finish in Sao Paulo - their only victory of the season.

So as the regulations head into their second season and hopefully set about converging the grid somewhat, Ferrari driver Leclerc expects Mercedes to bring themselves back into play. Still, looking at the midfield outfits, he does not see another team ready yet to step up.

Improved season

Alpine finished P4 in the Constructors' standings and at the head of the midfield in 2022, their development programme bringing improvement across the season as the team target further gains into the new campaign.

Asked at the FIA Prize Giving Gala if he expects another team to join Red Bull and Ferrari at the front in 2023, Leclerc replied: "I do believe that Mercedes will be in the fight.

"Another team? I haven't seen signs yet, maybe to believe that another team will join the top three, but Mercedes will definitely be there next year with a very strong car.

"We've seen how much they've improved from the first race to the last race. I think they understood what they did wrong, and this is normally the sign that it will go better. So hopefully, it will be a three-team fight next year."

Closing the gap

Mercedes aside, F1 needs the pack to close up.

If the Mercedes team