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French GP: Mercedes can compete with Red Bull and Ferrari, says Anthony Davidson



Anthony Davidson

Analyst

The French Grand Prix could represent Mercedes’ best chance of winning this season; watch the French GP this weekend, with all sessions live on Sky Sports F1; Full schedule at bottom of post – qualifying on Saturday at 3pm, race on Sunday at 2pm

Last Updated: 7/20/22 1:08 pm


Anthony Davidson believes Mercedes should have the pace to compete with Red Bull and Ferrari to win this weekend’s French Grand Prix.

After an extremely disappointing start to the season following the enactment of new design regulations for the 2022 campaign, the eight-time reigning designers’ champions have finally begun to close the gap with their opponents.

The Silver Arrows have won just three podiums in the first seven races of the season, but have now won four in a row, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in third place in each of the last three laps.

At just one of those three races, the British GP, where Hamilton has the pace to compete for the win, and with Circuit Paul Ricard of Marseille possessing similar characteristics to Silverstone, is there optimism that Mercedes can participate with the chance to finish first. win this season.

Former F1 driver Davidson told Sky Sports News: “It’s certainly a long shot, but I think if there’s any round you could pick this season it would be Silverstone and Paul Ricard, where Mercedes would have a chance to draw it with the top two teams. – Red Bull and Ferrari – on real speed.

Best action scene from the epic Austrian Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc won.

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Best action scene from the epic Austrian Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc won.

Best action scene from the epic Austrian Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc won.

“Out of the back of Austria where they had a good race – unfortunately qualifying didn’t really go its way as both cars sped out – but the pace seemed pretty good. Not as good as Red Bull and Ferrari, but traditionally it’s been a pretty weak circuit for them.

“Keeping in mind what we’ve seen at Silverstone, the racing pace is really strong there, Paul Ricard – a smooth ride to suit the car, high grip condition, highly degraded tyres, it all. These factors combined for Mercedes should mean, rightly, that the car should be in its happy place.”

‘Hamilton found his footing’

Hamilton’s three straight podiums have helped him close the points gap with teammate George Russell, who has enjoyed a hugely impressive start to his first campaign with Mercedes.

Russell finished ahead of Hamilton in seven of the first eight laps, but the gap between them fell to 19 points to advance to lap 12 of the championship.

Lewis Hamilton is proud of Mercedes' efforts after taking third place after a rough start to the weekend in Austria.

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Lewis Hamilton is proud of Mercedes’ efforts after taking third place after a rough start to the weekend in Austria.

Lewis Hamilton is proud of Mercedes’ efforts after taking third place after a rough start to the weekend in Austria.

Davidson was impressed by Russell’s performances, but believes an improved Mercedes will bring out the best in Hamilton.

“George is leading a brilliant season so far, with just a few hiccups, but that’s what you’d expect in a first season on a top team,” Davidson said. “There’s a lot of pressure there for George and he’s learning from the master, isn’t he? What a special position for George.

“I was expecting him to get the raw pace straight away. We saw that in Williams he always shines, especially in qualifying. He’s been branded Mr Saturday for quite a long time. , I think that mark is gone because he is proving himself during his racing days.

George Russell was frustrated after a first-round collision with Sergio Perez, which resulted in his fifth penalty and damaged his car at the Austrian GP.

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George Russell was frustrated after a first-round collision with Sergio Perez, which resulted in his fifth penalty and damaged his car at the Austrian GP.

George Russell was frustrated after a first-round collision with Sergio Perez, which resulted in his fifth penalty and damaged his car at the Austrian GP.

“I think definitely raised eyebrows from Lewis, seeing George’s approach to this season and how he’s adapted so well to these new cars. But now the car has become more familiar with the car. the car that Lewis drove last year and years before that, I feel that now he’s getting into his stride a bit more and they’re not trying to change too much for the car.

“I feel like now they’re narrowing down where they need to go and not going so beyond the window of setup options, I feel like Lewis is now getting more into his stride and starting in the next few days. The ultimate race to really show his quality again.

De Vries replaces Hamilton in FP1

Hamilton will have one less session to refine his performance at Le Castellet after it was confirmed that Nyck de Vries would be in his chair for Friday’s opening practice session.

The 27-year-old Dutch driver is on his second FP1 outing of the season as he drives Alex Albon’s Williams at the Spanish GP in May.

Mercedes says Hamilton has chosen this weekend to do one of his two youth driving sessions that all teams are required to facilitate during the season.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “Nyck will replace Lewis in the first training session this weekend, as part of the training sessions allotted to young drivers this year. So we are here. looking forward to seeing how he goes on.”





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