Mercedes are struggling. The 8-time constructor’s world champions have found themselves in a tricky spot at the start of the 2022 season. The German team has been struggling to match their rival Ferrari and Red Bull’s pace. But the biggest shock came at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying when Lewis Hamilton qualified P16 on pure pace.

The 7-time world champion was mystified by his lack of pace as he was knocked out in Q1 for the first time since Brazil 2017. He came back in the race but could only manage a solitary point as he finished in P10.

The Mercedes driver would hope to get some answers before F1 heads to Australia in a couple of weeks’ time.

Can Lewis Hamilton continue his podium streak at the Australian GP?

Hamilton has stood on the podium in Melbourne for five races in a row since winning in 2015. But his record of tasting the champagne down under could be under threat this season.

If the German team cannot find any answers before racing in Australia, then the best they can hope is to finish P5 or P6 on pure pace. But the British driver is positive that Mercedes can find some solution soon to make themselves more competitive.

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The 7-time world champion has conveyed, “It’s been a tough weekend and we need to go back and regroup ahead of Melbourne. The circuit here has been more difficult for us than in Bahrain, and we’re under no illusions about where we stand at the moment, but we need to remain focused and effective.”

“We have an enormous challenge ahead of us, but over the last eight years the team has been able to get on top of every performance issue that we have faced,” Hamilton added.

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Although a lot would also depend on the track characteristics and whether it would suit the W13 or not. Melbourne has undergone some changes since the last time F1 came to the country. They have added more fast-flowing sections to the track, which proved to be the Achilles’ heel for Lewis in Jeddah.

It would be fascinating to see if the silver arrows can learn from his mistakes and build a more competitive car for Melbourne. But as things stand, Lewis’s 5-year record of finishing on the podium in Melbourne is under serious threat. Do you think Lewis and Mercedes will be able to join the title fight anytime soon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.