Mercedes is facing a tough time on the grid since last year. However, the team is looking to build on the improved results of the Australian Grand Prix. They had their first podium finish of the current season. Lewis Hamilton won his 192nd podium finish in his career. However, George Russell ended on a DNF. The young Briton was doing great as he was leading at one point. However, the power unit failure really messed up his race in Melbourne. But Mercedes feels they can bounce back.
The Silver Arrows are planning to close the gap between them and Red Bull. While doing that, the Brackley team will also have to try to get ahead of Ferrari and Aston Martin. When Lewis Hamilton came second in the Australian Grand Prix, that assured Mercedes stayed in third place in the constructor’s title. Mercedes is still 9 points behind Aston Martin but 67 points behind Red Bull, the defending champions.
Lewis Hamilton & James Allison Hopeful About New Upgrades
Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Mercedes team hopes that new upgrades to the car can make a real difference to the season. In a recent interview, Lewis Hamilton mentioned that the new upgrades would direct them to a new path. However, he cleared that the core of the car remains the same. Mercedes star asserted that the team is not yet where they wanted to be before the season started. But the upgrades will gradually take them where they want to be. Lewis Hamilton is proud of the work done in the Brackley factory. Lewis feels great after what happened in Australia. But he knows that it is not going to be easy to repeat that in the following races. Hamilton mentioned that Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Red Bull – all these teams will be quick and will be tough to beat. But the seven-time champion is feeling optimistic and excited for the following weekend.
James Allison, technical director of Mercedes, also believes they have got plenty of firepower to close the gap between them and the Milton Keynes team. Allison feels Mercedes is moving in the right direction with new upgrades to the W14 car in every race. Mercedes is working on new upgrades every race, but presumably, the real effect might come to light in the Miami Grand Prix. The technical director Allison added that it is like a new car for every Grand Prix. Allison feels Mercedes has got plenty of firepowers to put lap time on W14 every weekend.
Allison Not Sure Which Tracks Suit Mercedes More
However, James Allison was not sure about the tracks where Mercedes should expect better results. Mercedes’ technical director suggested that front-limited circuits are more suited for the car than heavy rear-limited. Hence, the Bahrain Grand Prix was challenging due to the car not suiting the track. It made the team think about changing the quality of rear tires.
But the front-limited circuits are in Barcelona and Silverstone. However, Allison feels it is too soon to jump to any conclusion. As the car is pretty young and the rules are very new as well. There is plenty to work on the W14 car.