Mercedes F1 Team Making A Comeback After Poor Season Start

End of an Era

It was apparent from the early days of pre-season testing that Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team's reign of dominance had succumbed to the new 2022 regulations. One of the few teams suffering from porpoising, (the aerodynamic phenomenon that causes the car to bounce violently at high speeds) the long-reigning Constructors' Champions knew they were no longer in the fight for the title. At least until they could get their issues sorted out.

Rough Start

Prolific seven-time Drivers' World Champion Lewis Hamilton retained his seat for 2022. Valtteri Bottas, though, had to make way for young Mercedes development driver George Russell, who had proven his skills over the course of three years spent at Williams. The start of the season was looking somewhat ironic, with Bottas sometimes finding more success with his new team at Alfa Romeo than the two Mercedes drivers. It was looking like a good move for the Finnish driver.

Beginnings of a Return to Form

Red Bull and Ferrari had already started to pull away by the Monaco Grand Prix. Mercedes held their place as the third team on the grid, though, scoring points and even podiums on a consistent basis. By the midway point of the season, the Silver Arrows had begun showing signs of rapid improvement.

Inching Closer

It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago at the French Grand Prix, though, that we saw both Mercedes cars legitimately competing against the Red Bulls and Ferraris. Hamilton clinched second place while Russell came in third, making it a double podium for the constructor. And at last week's Hungarian Grand Prix, it was rinse and repeat as the Mercedes drivers took second and third behind reigning drivers' champion, Red Bull's Max Verstappen for the second race in a row. This time, however, Hamilton took an extra point for recording the fastest lap of the race.

Heading Into the Break with Momentum

The team head into the short summer break with good momentum. And when Formula One returns in late August with the Belgian Grand Prix at the legendary Circuit de Spa Francorchamps, we will find out if Hamilton and Russell can continue to inch closer to the top of the standings. 

Looking to Stay in the Fight

As it stands, Max Verstappen leads the drivers' championship and is seemingly pulling away fast. George Russell sits at fourth and Hamilton in sixth place. Red Bull tops the constructors' standings with a large margin over Ferrari in second place. Mercedes' consistent delivery of points has them in third, but only thirty points below the Italian team. Team principal Toto Wolff will be aiming to push Mercedes to finish in second place, and to take the fight to Red Bull before the year's end.

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