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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff walks in the Paddock before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff walks in the Paddock before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
The season-opener in Bahrain was a roller coaster of emotions, with multiple breathtaking moments throughout the race. One of such moments was Mercedes unexpectedly ending up on the podium behind the Ferrari duo. As the German constructors are now gearing up for the second race, Team Principal Toto Wolff has some strange plans to bring improvements to their 2022 challenger.
👏👏 'LET'S GO! LET'S GO!' 👏👏
Have you ever seen @LewisHamilton as excited for a P3 finish as last night!
We’ve got a long way to go, but we can build on this. 👊pic.twitter.com/DHjvXCLBXC
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 21, 2022
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Mercedes had a poor start in the 2022 season as they couldn’t even get a front-row start in the Bahrain GP. Lewis Hamilton could only manage to secure fifth place in qualifying while George Russell got a P9. The Silver Arrows didn’t have a chance to compete for the podium in the season opener. Both the drivers were having trouble driving the car, even team principal Toto Wolff revealed the car had a lot of drag.
Toto Wolff and his unique solution for W13
After the unexpected podium in Bahrain, Toto Wolff shared they are working on the car to decrease the drag. He also revealed that the Silver Arrows still don’t have the proper part, but they might have a solution after a few races. However, the Mercedes boss shared a quick remedy to get rid of the drag immediately. He hilariously stated that they will do it for the Jeddah race.
The Mercedes team principal shared, “It’s easier to shed drag off the car because you simply take a chainsaw and cut the rear wing to bits and so that is what we will be doing for Jeddah.”
Read More: Lewis Hamilton Ticks Two Records Off the List With His Latest Podium at Bahrain GP
Can Mercedes compete for the title in 2022?
The German constructors have dominated Formula 1 for the past eight years. However, they haven’t had a great start to the 2022 season yet. They failed to impress at both the pre-season testing. Even their performance in the season opener wasn’t outstanding. The Brackley base didn’t have a chance to take the lead in the race or even overtake the Ferrari and Red Bull cars ahead.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 20, 2022, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action during the race REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Mercedes wouldn’t have gotten the podium in Bahrain if both the red Bull cars didn’t have to retire because of an engine glitch. Undoubtedly, Lewis Hamilton’s third-place finish in Bahrain was a lucky accident.
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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 20, 2022 Third place Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium with a trophy after the race REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
The German constructors are yet not ready to challenge the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull in a race. If the Silver Arrows are eyeing for their ninth championship this year, then they need to pull up their socks fast.
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At the moment, the Prancing Horses, Ferrari, are the favorites to win the next race in Jeddah and even the championship. But it would be too early to predict the 2022 season’s conclusion. Let’s see what does the Silver Arrows bring in the Saudi Arabian GP.
