Mercedes Stumbles in Brazil: A Race to Forget for Hamilton and Russell
The troubles of Mercedes in the 2022 Formula 1 season hit a new low in the São Paulo Grand Prix, with both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell facing challenges. Team principal Toto Wolff's verdict after the race was blunt: "This car doesn't deserve to win."
The tabloid "The Sun" described the race as a "Horror show" for Mercedes in its headline on Monday, overshadowing Max Verstappen's win and wiping the smile off Mercedes' faces. George Russell's name followed by DNF and Hamilton's eighth-place finish in the second half of the Grand Prix added to the team's woes.
Last year, Mercedes had celebrated its only victory of the 2022 season in Brazil with Russell also winning the sprint race. However, this time around, the Silver Arrows team had high hopes of being back at the front. But those hopes were dashed. Hamilton's long drought for a win continued, as he has now been waiting almost two years for his next victory.
Mercedes is also struggling to maintain its dominance in the constructor's championship, facing stiff competition from Red Bull. The team is only 20 points ahead of Ferrari in second place. It is the classification that decides a lot of money, and Mercedes had won eight times in a row since 2014. Those days are over.
Russell's frustration was further heightened when he awaited the command to pass Hamilton, who he felt was only holding him up. "Are we working together here or is everyone driving their own race?" Russell vented over the radio. The answer: "We're still discussing it."
The issues facing Mercedes can be attributed to several factors. Lewis Hamilton, known for his aggressive driving style, has struggled to adapt to the new ground-effect cars. His one-lap pace in qualifying has also been lacking, as he was outqualified by Russell 19 times to five. Age and experience may have played a role as well, with Hamilton turning 40 during the 2022 season.
The team's overall performance has also been affected, with Russell acknowledging that the challenging period is necessary for a reset and a change in mould ahead of the 2026 regulation overhaul. Hamilton, on the other hand, still demonstrated his dedication and fighting spirit, showing that his head was not yet in his new team at Ferrari.
References:
