Sports News

Will Mercedes become stronger after the 2022 F1 Summer break?

Published by

After a gruelling run of 13 races in 20 weeks, the Formula 1 paddock heads into a summer break in August immediately after the Hungarian GP

Mercedes are currently placed third in the Constructors’ championship, significantly behind Ferrari and Red Bull. Mercedes drivers Russell and Hamilton occupy fifth and sixth places respectively in the drivers’ championship. If they are to have any chance to challenge for the title, Mercedes will have to make significant modifications in the summer break.

Mercedes continues its quest to join Red Bull and Ferrari in the fight at the front of Formula 1, as it revealed further design tweaks at the Hungarian Grand Prix and is expected to bring more changes after the F1 summer break. Given the constraints posed by the budget cap, the team has decided not to manufacture an entirely new assembly but perform some surgery on various portions of the W13.

This helps balance the car better, as the team has returned to the higher downforce configuration rear wing, albeit with some modifications for the Hungarian GP and more changes will be introduced after the summer break.

Related Post

How long is the F1 summer break and what does it imply?

The F1 summer break of 2022 begins immediately after the Hungarian GP and lasts until the Belgian GP on 26 August. For the teams, when they have no races or official tests to attend or prepare for until the F1 summer break ends, there is also a mandatory team factory shutdown where work is severally restricted to just the basic functions to ensure the team ticks over.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 25: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W13 during Day Three of F1 Testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 25, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

During this period, teams cannot work on car design, development, or parts production, including planning or holding meetings. Wind tunnels or machining parts are also not allowed to be run at any time during the 14 days, but essential work like service and maintenance is permitted.

F1 teams are allowed to activate their 14-day shutdown period at any time within the summer break, with the majority of teams opting for a middle two weeks to provide time to unpack from the previous race and prepare for the next race after the shutdown.

More F1 News

Follow our dedicated Formula One page for instant Formula One news and updates

Sarbik Dutta

My heart races on the F1 track and tennis courts, translating the adrenaline of each moment into words. While F1's speed thrills and tennis's finesse captivate me, my passion doesn't stop there. As a devoted follower of cricket, football, and various Olympic sports, I find myself engulfed in the highs and lows of these games. Through my writing, I aim to share the stories behind the stats, the emotions fueling the victories, and the struggles that define the journey of athletes across diverse disciplines. Being a voice that echoes the fervor of these sports is a privilege I cherish every day.

Share
Published by