Nico Rosberg believes he has spotted Mercedes’ Achilles heel, and hopes the Silver Arrows can find the ‘secret’ to fix the problem. It has been an uncharacteristically under-par year for Mercedes, who have been so used to dominating the sport having won the four previous constructors’ titles prior to 2022.
This year though has been a different story, with the Brackley-based team unable to adapt to new car regulations implemented by the FIA at the beginning of the year. As a result their W13 car has failed to produce the results of its predecessors, leaving them fifth in the standings.
One man who has felt the effects is seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton who is on course to record his first ever winless campaign of his Formula 1 career, amid the Mercedes problems. His former team-mate Rosberg believes he knows what the problem is.
Rosberg won the 2016 world championship during a six-year spell with the Silver Arrows. Now watching on as a pundit, the 2016 champion has outlined his former team’s Achilles heel as their lack of straightline pace.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Rosberg said: “For Mercedes the Achilles heel is their straight line pace. My goodness are they slow on the straight compared to especially Red Bull. I really hope they manage to find the secret there to unlock some pace down the straights.
Mercedes’ loss has apparently been Red Bull’s gain, with Christian Horner’s team – and Max Verstappen in particular – dominating the 2022 season. Verstappen secured his second title after winning in Japan earlier this month, giving him his second world title after triumph in 2022.
After years of Mercedes dominance, Rosberg believes the tide has now already turned and Red Bull are now the team to beat. When asked if he felt the sport was moving into a period of Red Bull dominance Rosberg responded: “Well we are already in it.
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https://formulaone.news/mercedes/f1-engine-issue-definitely-affected-hamiltons-mexico-q3-lap
