The current constructors’ champion experienced its first start to the season without achieving a victory in Formula 1 since 2011, due to a series of problems to which they have had to adapt after the introduction of the new 2022 regulations.
However, Mercedes managed to make big strides forward in the final races before the summer break, with the team scoring double podium finishes in France and Hungary. In addition, Lewis Hamilton has achieved a streak of five consecutive races on the podium.
Asked whether he thinks the Silver Arrows are now closer to returning to winning ways, the British driver said he thinks so, but was cautious.
“Yeah, definitely,” Hamilton said. “I think of course we’ve improved, we’ve had more consistency in the last couple of races and it’s great progress the team is making, everybody rowing together, but now you just have to keep pushing.
“And the car is becoming more and more like a racing car, something that was not like that at the beginning of the year, I say that it is more like a racing car in the sense of its characteristics.”
“And the last race was the best demonstration of that that we’ve had so far, and that for us was a huge motivation that we can close that gap.”
“Obviously it’s going to continue to be difficult, we’re going to have to keep our heads down. The others are doing an amazing job too, but I think we can close the gap,” added the Mercedes driver.
Hamilton is currently going through his longest streak without a victory in Formula 1 , as he has gone 14 races without reaching the top step of the podium.
His longest drought so far was nine races in 2009 and also in 2013, those streaks were ended with two wins at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Mercedes on-track engineering boss Andrew Shovlin told Motorsport.com during the summer break that the team had been “shocked” by its problems at the start of the season, but believes it won’t affect them in the future. as they try to get back to the front of the grid.
The seven-time champion’s team-mate George Russell shares the view that the 2022 car is close to being a race-winning single-seater, while admitting that the way Mercedes have bounced back this season has been “inspiring.” “.
“I fully share that confidence,” Russell said when asked about his Brackley teammate’s comments.
“I think it’s based on the fact that we’ve made a lot of progress. I think we’re also going to add more performance to the car in the next few races, which is exciting, and I think we’ve learned a lot in the last few races before the summer break. .
“So it’s really exciting and inspiring to see how the team has come together through the tough times at the start of this year and to see how we’ve closed that gap. I think there’s a lot more to come and we’re giving it our all.” British.
