Formula 1
Mercedes: Monaco F1 expectations lower than any other circuit
Mercedes remains cautious about its chances for Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix, despite the progress it showed in Spain last weekend.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: May 26, 2022, 2:50 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The reigning constructors' champions introduced a raft of upgrades to its W13 that has transformed its pace, and helped George Russell fight with Red Bull before grabbing a podium finish.
But while encouraged that it has begun to unlock the potential it felt was in its 2022 challenger, it thinks Monaco may be a bit more of a struggle.
Team boss Toto Wolff, when asked if there was a degree of optimism for another good result in Monaco, said: “I wouldn't say so, because we have been particularly off-pace this weekend in the slow corners in the last sector, due to overheating.
“That might be different in Monaco, but Monaco in the past wasn't our most happy place. Maybe because the car was the size of an elephant. But I'd be curious to see where we are this weekend. We still struggle with warm up a little bit, so my expectations for Monaco are lower than on any other circuit.
“I'm not sure I can explain scientifically why that is. But it's going to be another learning point, at least to bring us back into the game.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Mercedes’ scepticism about its chances for Monaco have been increased by the fact that it was not super competitive in the final sector of the Barcelona track last weekend.
The performance through S3 there has often provided a good indicator of potential for the Monte Carlo streets, because the nature of the slow/medium speed corners and traction zones are very similar.
Ranking the fastest cars through the sector in qualifying for the Spanish GP, Mercedes was only fifth fastest.
- Ferrari 27.336
- Red Bull 27.411
- Alfa Romeo 27.443
- Haas 27.561
- Mercedes 27.698
- McLaren 27.768
- Alpine 27.896
- AlphaTauri 27.984
- Aston Martin 28.197
- Williams 28.586
However, one factor that needs to be taken into account is that the Mercedes did not appear to be using its tyres so consistently over the full lap – so peak performance had fallen away by the time they reached the technical final corners.
Porpoising not gone away
While the Spanish GP performance was encouraging for Mercedes, the team is under no illusions that it has sorted all its problems.
James Vowles, the team’s motorsport strategy director, said that while porpoising had been eradicated in Spain, the threat of it returning at future venues could not be ruled out.
“We have to temper our expectations,” he said in Mercedes’ regular post-race video debrief. “It's one track and a track that has suited our car for many years prior to this one. There is a lot for us to understand and learn.
“I think it would be wrong to say that the porpoising issue has disappeared. I think you still see it on our competitors and I am sure there will be elements of it coming back again as we build on our understanding and the foundations that we laid down in Barcelona.
“What I can say is we made a definitive step, a step in our understanding and the deployment of what we put on track. And we can build on that, and the same could not be said about the first five races with the car that we had there.”
Read Also:
- Why Mercedes' Spanish GP gains aren't as grand as they seemed
- Leaked Hamilton photo prompts Spanish GP parc ferme intrigue
- Ferrari downplays Mercedes' Spanish GP revival
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Bottas surprised by ‘weird’ €50k success from bum photo
Next article Ocon urges Alpine F1 team to "bring more stuff" to improve car
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
53 min
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
1 h
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Talladega II
2 h
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe