via Getty
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 10: George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes pose for a photo during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
via Getty
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 10: George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes pose for a photo during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 10, 2022 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Lars Baron – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Mercedes F1 have been struggling to keep pace with frontrunners Red Bull and Ferrari this season. The German team and its drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have each managed a third place on the podium. But they are no way close to challenging for wins against Red Bull and Ferrari.
In the lieu of the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, F1 journalist Jennie Gow posted a pole on her Twitter. She asked the fans who they think will win the race first this season- George Russell or Lewis Hamilton.
The reactions from the F1 fans were certainly a bit surprising, but not far off if one looks at the current situation of the team.
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Who do you think will win a race first this season? #F1 #pollQueen
— Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) May 10, 2022
Don't think Mercedes will… is that a 'hot take?'
— FormulaNerds 🤓🏁 (@Formula_Nerds) May 10, 2022
Russells clearly a great driver and had a great start to the season, but I still think Hamilton will get their first win of the season. (if they get one)
— Richard Simmons (@RichardJSimmons) May 10, 2022
Mercedes would need Red Bull and Ferrari out of the race / off the pace or a big step in performance to have a chance right now, but based on the first 5 races I think George looks more comfortable in the W13 for his level of experience
— Alex Stanger (@alexstanger1993) May 10, 2022
At the moment, the way things are going victory seem to be a far distant dream. Mercedes can hope & pray for a podium place at best
— Arjun Mody 🇮🇳 (@arjunmody01) May 10, 2022
It will be interesting to see as the season progresses, because Lewis is protecting his record of winning a race in every F1 season he's entered.
— Simon Olivari (@simolio89) May 10, 2022
I don't think either of them will win a race all season.
— Peter Temple (@PeterTemple) May 10, 2022
needed a 'neither will win a race' option.
— The Skywalker Chocobo (@noreasonspec) May 10, 2022
Russel win the British GP
— TT 🇬🇧 (@Saints_11_Fan) May 10, 2022
All three scenarios are possible, but it is looking highly unlikely that the German team will win in 2022 as of now. Moreover, Mercedes driver George Russell mentioned he was optimistic after the car’s performance in the Miami GP.
READ MORE: Why Do Mercedes Dominate F1?
He revealed that according to him that there is an inherent pace in the car and they just need to find it.
George Russell shows optimism in the W13 after his P5 finish in Miami
The British driver showed some decent pace in the race at the Miami Grand Prix after he finished P5 from P12 at the start. He believes that the team needs to find a killer key to unlock the performance in the W13.
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“We showed [on Friday in Miami] we have a fast car, there is a fast car there. I have total faith and confidence it is in there somewhere. We just need to understand how to unlock it. I think we can find chunks and chunks of lap time if we can just find that killer key to get it in that perfect spot,” said Russell.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Miami Grand Prix – Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, U.S. – May 5, 2022, Mercedes’ George Russell ahead of the Miami Grand Prix REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo
“I’m not sure if that will be the next race, but the guys are working day and night back at the factory, and we all believe we can. We have to stick to our guns and keep pushing down in this direction. It will be a number of races before we say we have to go a different way, but I believe in them,” said the Mercedes driver.
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Mercedes needs to bring new upgrades and hope that they deliver the performance, which can take them closer to the top once again. The 2022 season quickly running away from them after each passing weekend and they need to react fast.
