Mercedes optimistic but still in the dark when arriving at Zandvoort

It’s one of the little suspenses of every weekend. How will the capricious W13 eat its two drivers at Zandvoort? Will it allow them to fight with the heavyweights that are Ferrari et Red Bull like in Barcelona and Budapest? Or will she show them her worst side, like at Spa-Francorchamps last week? It would be better than Mercedes frees itself from its cataclysmic Belgian mood, where Lewis Hamilton had been stunned to make… 1″8 to Max Verstappen in qualifying, even if the gap was less significant but still painful in the race... 

The page has turned at Mercedes. Hearts up! Optimism is in order, the circuit being slower than in Belgium. "We hope (be competitive), assured Lewis Hamilton. We should be in a better window this weekend”, he predicted. “Last weekend it wasn't a pretty sight and all the confidence we had built over the last five races took a hit, it was a bit of a 'two steps forward, five back' feeling. ", but I think it was just an accident, especially with the characteristics of this track, so yes, I am optimistic." 

Lewis Hamilton approaches Zandvoort with optimism. © Germain Hazard / DPPI

From there to go and titillate Red Bull, author with Max Verstappen of a demonstration in the Ardennes? And why not ! “It’s going to be difficult to beat Red Bull so we’re going to have to find something to create this opportunity. But it’s still possible, we’ll see!” At Brackley, we once again expect not to fly in qualifying, but to be closer to the top competition in the race on Sunday, the W13 being more of a marathoner than a sprinter, despite Russell's surprise pole in Hungary.

Mercedes will put its W13 in the cellar 

“For sure being faster in the race could be the overall theme of the year for us, regretted George Russell. We are still trying to understand why there is such a difference in performance between Saturday and Sunday. The difference is perhaps less than for Red Bull for example, but when we look at the middle of the pack, we are often beaten in qualifying by Alpine ou McLaren». Which causes you to waste racing time on Sunday while waiting to pass them…

For the young wolf of the star-studded brigade, Max Verstappen will certainly be at the front on his home turf. “The track is shorter here, so I don’t think the gaps are as big! I'm sure Max and Red Bull will be up front and competitive. We have reason to believe that it could be a little better than at Spa on our side, but I also think that Spa is a circuit which highlights the worst of our car, so to be honest, we arrive open to spirit here in Zandvoort». Before putting “the W13 in the cellar” at the end of the season as well as Toto wolff said in Belgium after the race last Sunday, the German brand still intends to seek a victory, even if priority has already been given to 2023. 

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