Mercedes plan to introduce "far, far more" upgrades to their cars this season, in a boost to Lewis Hamilton's chances of winning a race in 2022.
So far this year the Silver Arrows have not had a car capable of delivering race wins. But they have been improving, and they secured their best result of the season so far last time out at the French Grand Prix.
Hamilton finished second while George Russell was just behind in third, thanks to a cheeky overtake late in the race on Sergio Perez. And in his debrief from that race, Mercedes chief technical officer James Allison gave a promising update going forward.
"A race is over 50+ laps and having a car that's competitive on all of those gives you opportunities and we've typically been able to move back forward through the race into a strong position. That said, we'd obviously prefer to be more competitive in qualifying," he said.
"Some tracks like Budapest will cause us issues and we need to make sure we are really there or thereabouts to make sure we don't have a number of other teams between ourselves and Ferrari and Red Bull.
"In terms of the upgrades themselves, yes, they are incremental steps, they are small steps that were added to the car, but the important point is we have plans to introduce far, far more across the races that follow. We won't be able in one go just to catch up and be with Ferrari and Red Bull. But hopefully, as you have seen across the season so far, we are incrementally closing that gap down and we have more to come."
While Mercedes look to reel in the front-runners, Ferrari have issued a bold declaration of their own. Team chief Mattia Binotto warned rivals that they think they are capable of winning the last 10 races of the season to take both titles.
"At the end of the season we will see where we are, but I think what’s more important to see today, once again, the good package, there is no reason why we cannot win 10 races from now to the end," he told De Telegraaf.
"And I think that the way to look at this positively – and I like to be positive, staying optimistic – could something happen to Max and Red Bull? I'm not counting on it, we need to be focusing on ourselves and do our best."
