Toto Wolff points out what Mercedes is missing to win

Dropped at the start of the season by Red Bull et Ferrari, Mercedes is gradually catching up with the two leading teams of this year 2022. In recent weeks and particularly since returning to Europe, the Silver Arrows have shown a good face. Certainly still behind the Austrians and the Italians, the Germans have had a string of good results and no longer seem to be so far from a victory, something unimaginable just two months ago.

At the French Grand Prix last weekend, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell gave Mercedes their first double podium of the campaign, their best result so far. An encouraging sign for the rest of the season as Toto wolff and his band are chasing their first success of the year.

« I think 2nd and 3^e places are excellent, these are two places on the podium and this is the maximum points we could score, enjoyed Toto Wolff, main Mercedes team, after the French Grand Prix. It's encouraging to be able to get these kinds of results on Sunday but it's still very difficult for us to know where we would finish if everyone finishes the race.."

In France, Lewis Hamilton finished 2nd ahead of George Russell. Mercedes' best result this year. ©DPPI/A. Vincent

Mercedes still too close to win

With these words, the manager of the German team refers to the abandonment of Charles Leclerc but also at the start from the back of the grid to Carlos Sainz which inevitably allowed Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to achieve this double podium. So what are they missing to fight at the front when everyone is still on the track? Toto Wolff believes he has the answer.

« I just think we lack performance on a flying lap (in qualifying) but also in the first part of the first relay, continues the person concerned. There is something we need to find and understand, different points in performance (of the car). We have to work to understand how to win and from that point of view there is still a gap »

In the Hungarian turnstile of the Hungaroring this weekend, Mercedes will have one last chance to measure themselves against Red Bull and Ferrari and judge the difference in performance before a four-week break. The opportunity for the Brackley structure to see if the gap continues to narrow or on the contrary to stagnate.

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