© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
By Carol M. Creasey
Between the Styrian and the Austrian Grand Prix Mercedes have once again been analysing their car to see why it has lost, not only straight line, but also cornering speed.
So, Sir Lewis Hamilton did a lot of long runs and tyre testing in FP1, rather than hot laps, and was seventh fastest overall. In FP2 he tested the speed of his car to top the timesheets, ahead of Max Verstappen by two tenths. However, he did state that he felt there was more to come from Dutch driver. By FP3 his theory proved to be correct, as Verstappen topped the session, followed by Valtteri Bottas, and then Sir Lewis in third.
Toto Wolff was interviewed just before qualifying, and he felt that the gap between Mercedes and Red Bull may have been closed a little. This sounded a bit more hopeful for Mercedes fans. But by the time Qualifying was over, the reality was that another tenth per lap of speed had been lost.
Verstappen got pole, but only just, as Lando Norris, who is fast emerging as a very good driver, came extremely close to him in his quest for pole position. I think Lando deserves every bit of praise, as he is not in the fastest car and he has to work hard for his results. Very well done to him! I would also like to mention George Russell who made it into ninth place.
After lagging behind in practice, Sergio Perez got himself together and qualified in P3, while Sir Lewis was fourth and Bottas fifth. It is so unusual for Mercedes cars to qualify outside the front row, so its clear that the car is just not up to it. Last year Sir Lewis made it look easy when he scooped his 7th championship, that I think maybe Toto and the Mercedes team thought he could easily do the same this year. However, they underestimated just how much Red Bull have improved their car.
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So, having committed themselves to the car of 2022, and without any updates, it now leaves an almost impossible task for Sir Lewis and Bottas. Of course if every race was a wet one, it would be no contest, regardless of which car was the fastest. Remember Turkey 2020? But so far, although rain was been promised for the last 3 races, it did not happen.
On race day, although Sir Lewis tried to tempt the weather by arriving in wet weather gear, it made no difference, it was cloudy but dry. Verstappen led off as was expected, his car is so dominant that it leaves all the others far behind. The season started off as an exciting race between two cars that were closer in performance, but has now turned into a boring Red Bull Fest, which is beginning to make people turn off their TV sets. To win a race without having to overtake anyone is not exciting racing.
What is even more unbelievable is, because the FIA were fed up with what they called Mercedes domination, they changed the rules particularly to favour high-rake cars, made Mercedes get rid of their party mode, and generally changed the regulations to slow them down. Well, congratulations FIA, you have succeeded there, but are the cars more equal? Of course not, you have done everything to help Red Bull become the dominant force. This is blatant unfair favouritism, and brings the sport into disrepute. Mercedes developed their car themselves, with no help from the FIA, but their professionalism has been swept aside.
At the beginning of the race, Sir Lewis overtook Norris and Perez to claim second place, but about midway through the race it was clear his car had sustained damage, and he lost a lot of downforce. He had to endure the pain of seeing Norris and Bottas both pass him again without being able to respond, and had to nurse his car home in fourth place. Verstappen won by a huge margin, Bottas was a creditable second, and Norris third. Well done to all of them.
As if the loss of points because of his damaged car was not enough, Sir Lewis knows that in two-weeks’ time he has his own home race at Silverstone, where armies of his fans will be there to see him. Obviously he wants to put on a good show for them, and he also wants to get back in the title fight. So please Toto and Mercedes, support your star driver, who has incidentally just signed with you for another two years. He has worked hard for all his championships, and given his fans amazing entertainment over the years. Now more than ever he needs your support, he needs upgrades, and he needs you to find out why this diva of a car lags behind Red Bull so much.
Give your star driver a car he can shine in, you are still in my eyes the best team, you can put this right because at the moment there are many very disappointed fans of Mercedes and Sir Lewis, who don’t understand why he is being left to struggle with an underperforming car. The same goes for Bottas, he needs your support too. None of us want to see Red Bull on the top step at Silverstone, so please act now, before it’s too late!
Be sure to follow Carol on Twitter @eagertogo and visit her website www.carolmcreasey.com!
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