2022 Singapore GP: Mercedes warn Red Bull and Ferrari they can challenge for victory

George Russell has stood on the podium in both of the last two races.

Mercedes technical director, Mike Elliott, is aiming for a strong performance from Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix.

Generally, downforce-oriented circuits have been Mercedes’ friend thus far in 2022, evidenced by their results in Spain and Hungary in particular.

Hamilton and Russell have managed 13 podiums between them this term, and they achieved double rostrum appearances in France and Hungary.

The 24-year-old also then finished second in Zandvoort, but his P3 in Monza last weekend could be considered a little more of a surprise given the difficulty the W13 has in a straight line.

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Some of that performance is indeed indebted to the fact that other drivers around him had grid penalties, but Mercedes have made a habit of being there when it counts this year.

Their reliability and adeptness in corners have served them well so, when the circus rolls into Singapore, the expectation will be that the German team can execute a solid weekend in the twisty Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Having generally figured out how to get on top of “porpoising” and bouncing, the oscillation in Singapore should provide less of a hindrance than it did in the early part of the year, but that will still be an element that Mercedes need to be wary of.

“I think when you look back at the learning we’ve gathered over the season, we expect Singapore to be a bit more like what we’ve seen in Budapest and Zandvoort,” explained Elliott in a Mercedes YouTube video.

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“It’s a bumpy circuit, which is going to provide its challenges.” 

If they can master that, then a healthy collection of points is there for the taking for the eight-time champions.

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“But in terms of the nature of the corners, we think it will be better for our car, so hopefully we’ll have a good result there,” added Elliot.

“As always we’ll do all the pre-simulation work we need to do, we’ll maximise our learning in the practice sessions and hopefully we can turn that into a good result on the weekend.”

Mercedes are third in the Constructors’ Standings, 35 points behind Ferrari as the Silver Arrows take aim at second spot in the final six races.