Mercedes Embrace Early Performance Advantage Over Red Bull Ahead of 2022 F1 Season

Something is cooking in the big brains of the Mercedes team amidst the nearing 2022 F1 season that is certainly going to have a few surprises in store.

2021 was always going to offer a rather twisty campaign, especially after having heard Honda’s exit news. The Japanese manufacturers weren’t going to leave the sport without stealing the spotlight one last time.

And rightfully so; Mercedes and Red Bull produced an insane level of rivalry, something that had been missing in F1 for over 8 years. To further glorify it, this particular rivalry was none like anything in the past – from the first race in Bahrain until the finale in Abu Dhabi, the intensity never decreased at any point.

In the end, Mercedes were left heartbroken despite winning the constructors’ championship for the 8th consecutive season, thanks to Max Verstappen’s late steal at the Abu Dhabi GP.

Mercedes couldn’t get the drivers’ title, but they are not keen on letting Red Bull get anywhere near them in 2022. The Brackley outfit is exploiting every single opportunity to re-ignite their dominance in Formula 1. But, how?

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Mercedes holding the upper hand in 2022?

Come 2022, the F1 cars are all set to receive a makeover and not just minimally, but to the extent where none of them can go unnoticed. Hence, a lot of teams have had their focus on building a strong-enough car to scalp the title, and so have Mercedes and Red Bull.

For title favorites Mercedes, they seem to be holding an additional upper hand in terms of the pit stop equipment. The Brackley outfit tested the equipment during the free practice in Abu Dhabi.

To the ones unaware of what an e-gun is, it is a cordless electric screwdriver that will reduce the complexity of changing wheels by getting rid of the multiple components that support the current wheel-changing pistol, Hurricane.

The latest innovation not only increases efficiency but also bolsters the performance of the pit crew. With lesser components and much simpler pistols in hand, the precision should increase substantially, which consequently reduces pit stop timing.

Mercedes are leading the race in this particular battle! So, does this mark the end of Red Bull’s brief cameo?

Read More: Are Cordless Pit-Stops the Way Forward in F1? Mercedes Trial ‘e-gun’ in Abu Dhabi