Is Mercedes back in the fight for wins?
Mercedes' back-to-back wins in Austria and Britain, coupled with strong qualifying performances, signal a resurgence for the team. Former test driver Sam Bird believes they've overcome their high-speed corner weakness, putting them back in contention.
Mercedes' recent performances have catapulted them back into contention at the sharp end of the Formula 1 grid, with consecutive victories for George Russell in Austria and Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone marking a significant turnaround in the team's fortunes.
This resurgence has not gone unnoticed, with McLaren Formula E driver and former Mercedes test driver Sam Bird suggesting that the Silver Arrows are "most definitely back in the conversation" at the front of the field.
A brilliant week for Mercedes
The team's recent success story began at the Red Bull Ring, where Russell capitalized on a collision between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen to secure an unexpected victory.
While Bird acknowledges that Russell's win in Austria had an element of fortune, he views Hamilton's triumph at Silverstone as thoroughly deserved.
"Lewis Hamilton deserved to win that race today,"
Bird stated on the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast.
"He made the right calls at the right time, and he was quick. He was quick at the right times; he was right there when it mattered."
Overcoming the high-speed hurdle
One of the most significant aspects of Mercedes' improved performance has been their apparent mastery of high-speed corners, an area that had previously been their Achilles' heel.
The team's strong showing at Silverstone, a circuit renowned for its fast sweeping turns, suggests a breakthrough in this crucial area.
Bird emphasized this point, saying,
"Where have Mercedes struggled in the last couple of years? It's been high-speed corners. What does Silverstone have loads of? High speed corners. Where did they qualify for today's Grand Prix? I think that they've maybe sorted that problem."
The qualifying performance, which saw Russell and Hamilton lock out the front row, provided further evidence of Mercedes' progress in high-speed stability and change of direction – key factors at a track like Silverstone.
A resurgent force
The extent of Mercedes' improvement was further highlighted by the significant gap to their closest rivals.
"Mercedes have found a load of pace,"
Bird noted.
"He's [Hamilton] just finished 35 seconds ahead of the nearest Prancing Horse."
This performance gap, coupled with their ability to qualify and race strongly at a demanding circuit like Silverstone, has firmly reestablished Mercedes as a force to be reckoned with in the 2024 championship battle.
While Bird maintains that Hamilton's upcoming move to Ferrari for the 2024 season remains a "great move" for the seven-time world champion, the recent upturn in Mercedes' form adds an intriguing dimension to the remainder of the current season.
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