Lewis Hamilton faces a new threat from Max Verstappen at Imola as Red Bull represents the ultimate eye upgrade F1 | Sports

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes appear to be in an awkward position at the moment despite their earlier win at the Bahrain Grand Prix at the season opener last month with an impressive drive. The German team has clearly ranked Red Bull second best in terms of performance since pre-season testing after struggling with new regulations requiring changes to the design of the floor space and rear end.

Mercedes has lost a lot of downforce this year as a result of the changes. The all-new W12 challenger appears to be unstable at the rear and has no overall pace compared to Red Bull’s RB16.

Their decline was clearly seen during qualifying and racing at the Bahrain International Circuit, which was ultimately determined by Hamilton’s impressive skills and experience in the cockpit.

The Stevenage-born racing driver, who was struggling to get a grip on his rapidly deteriorating tires, dug deep into the depths to keep Max Verstappen at arm’s length in the closing stages and take the checkered flag, securing the Silver Arrows that the Dutch would have expected to claim an unlikely victory for the booty.

Verstappen took the lead with just a few laps to go, but was ordered to give up the position after crossing the controversial track limits in turn four in order to sneak forward.

The result was a welcome boost for Hamilton and Mercedes, but the seven-time Constructors’ Championship winners may not be as lucky at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola later this month.

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According to Motorsport.com, Red Bull is apparently preparing a significant increase in performance for the second race of the new season.

According to the report, Austrian competitors have been working on a new rear suspension system to aid tire management and performance.

Adjusting the rear wheels is prohibited by law, but Red Bull appears to have found a way to get around it.

It is recommended that a number of legislative changes to the engine, differential and brakes, as well as adapting the flexibility of certain parts, change the angle of the rear tires when cornering. These are all changes that Verstappen and Sergio Perez could benefit from at Imola.

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Red Bull has made a name for itself in recent years for its impressive aerodynamics and chassis development, a trait that is expected to continue into the rest of the season and beyond.

It remains to be seen whether Mercedes and Hamilton will finally be asked for cutlery in the coming months, having won every available title since 2013.

Trackside Technical Director Andrew Shovlin expressed deep concern about his team’s chances of sealing another championship double earlier this week, suggesting the gap between them and Red Bull could remain intact throughout the season.

“Usually, except this year because it’s different, you’d look in the wind tunnel to try just a little downforce during the year and you would look at the engine to try to add a little bit Power, “Shovlin told Crash.net.

“But both are very limited by law this year, so we have very little time in the wind tunnel. The test bench is also very limited and you cannot improve the engine for performance this year.”

“So we have to look at more subtle areas that have to do with drivability, and also get to the track with a well-stocked and balanced car, do your homework and know how well the tires are running.”

“This season will actually result in the fine margins much more than normal, because I don’t see that we can really develop so far that we can make clear progress.”

“And hopefully Red Bull will not develop so far that they are clearly ahead.”