Sir Lewis Hamilton is targeting the British Grand Prix as the race where he hopes the Silver Arrows can finally begin to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari for victories.
Mercedes have been on the back foot for the majority of the season under the new technical regulations, and they have struggled to figure out how to make chassis design that is compatible with the all-important aerodynamics underneath the floor of the car.
In an imaginative concept, they tried to essentially get rid of their sidepods, but this, according to insiders, has led to more turbulence as a result of the floor being exposed, exacerbating their “porpoising” problem.
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Further, Hamilton has suffered from one or two cooling issues so far in 2022, and it cost him a place to Carlos Sainz in Spain as he finished fifth.
Red Bull and Ferrari have had Mercedes’ number throughout the year so far, but the seven-time champion hopes to change that by early July.
“I hope by the time we get to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone we will have the car as we want it – to be able to fight with Ferrari and Red Bull,” stated Hamilton.
“It would be nice if we can give them a run for their money at our home race.
“I know that work is going on tirelessly in the factory to make progress with the car. And I have no doubt we will get it right sooner or later.”
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One of the suggestions floated about has been getting rid of the skinny sidepod design and reverting to the launch concept, but the increased budget restrictions this year make that a difficult task.
Further, it would set them on a completely new development path, so team principal Toto Wolff wants to exhaust every possibility with the current concept before switching to a different one.
“We have committed ourselves to the current concept and we have to,” explained the Austrian.
“If you don’t believe in it and you also give the other concept a 50 per cent chance, you should switch immediately.”
Mercedes are third in the Constructors’ Championship after the first seven rounds of the season, over 100 points adrift of leaders Red Bull.