Can Mercedes upgrades deliver a British win at Silverstone? What to watch for at the 2022 British GP

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Start of the 2021 British Grand Prix

Grand Prix Photo

The idea that Lewis Hamilton might win this year’s British Grand Prix then crowdsurf down the straight named after him might have seemed fanciful a few weeks ago, but the noises from the Mercedes factory are more positive than we’ve heard all season.

With significant upgrades to the W13 car expected, on top of progress in recent races, there could be a better chance of a British winner than anybody dared hope.

Hamilton or George Russell will be dreaming of a win in front of their home crowd — as, no doubt will Lando Norris — but it’s not just Mercedes with a point to prove.

Ferrari and Charles Leclerc need to get their championship back on track before Max Verstappen builds an unassailable lead. The Dutchman has even greater incentive to do so this weekend as he looks to avenge the Copse collision at last year’s race, which saw him spear into the barriers and Hamilton head to victory.

Could we be in for another instalment of that duel? Here’s what to look out for at the 2022 British GP.

 

Charles Leclerc running out of time to escape the rut

ACT

Leclerc has achieved 95 less points than Verstappen since his last win

Everything started off so well for Charles Leclerc who was leading the championship by 34 points after the opening three races, while Verstappen was a distant 46 points behind.

But that sequence has largely been followed by a large helping of bad luck, often due to poor reliability, with just one podium finish in the last six races.

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Now Leclerc stands 49 points behind Verstappen with the 2022 season approaching its halfway point and unless he can reverse his fortunes soon a maiden world championship in 2022 could become a distant dream for the Ferrari driver.

He has already stood on the Silverstone podium twice, with inferior machinery, what chance he can claim the top step on Sunday and revitalise his title challenge?

Red Bull principal Christian Horner believes that Leclerc’s chances will be helped by Ferrari upgrades, as the team attempts to claw back its 76-point deficit to the championship leaders.

Despite the points shortfall, Ferrari has retained its strong pace this season, with four consecutive poles for Leclerc before Canada.

If Ferrari manages to avoid any reliability problems at Silverstone, then this weekend has every chance of a close fight between the two front-runners once again. But considering Red Bull’s current run of results, they should still be the favourites for Silverstone as they look for their first win there since 2012.

 

Can Mercedes win again?

ACT

There is reason for optimism down at the Silver Arrows

What better way for Mercedes to return to the front than at Silverstone, with both drivers in front of a home crowd?

In what has been an extremely underwhelming season for the reigning champions, who trail Red Bull by 116-points, there is hope that things could change this weekend.

Mercedes is likely to be bringing upgrades to build on the progress that it has been making this season. The car’s pace at the Spanish GP in May – where George Russell stood on the podium – shows the potential for the Silver Arrows at the upcoming race.

It is more conventional tracks like Barcelona and Silverstone which suit the W13, thanks to their smooth surface that reduces the bouncing that the drivers have been complaining of.

There is hope at Brackley that the team could be in for a very strong race, but it will realistically still need luck to go its way in order to fight with, or even beat, Ferrari and Red Bull.

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James Allison, Mercedes Chief Technical Officer, said: “Everyone in our factory doesn’t dare say it, but we are cautiously optimistic of having a more competitive weekend than some of those we’ve had of late.

“I think some of the characteristics of this circuit will suit the car. We don’t have a car capable of winning from the front yet, but as long as we can get it tamed through Maggots, Becketts and around the faster corners, we have a decent chance of a competitive showing this weekend.

“Maybe if the Red Bull stumbles, who knows? But I’m hopeful of a better weekend.”

 

‘Best of the rest’ tag is still up for grabs

ACT

Upgrades for Silverstone are vital according to Aston Martin Team Principal, Mike Krack

The British GP is usually a good time to fit new parts to the car because if they work at Silverstone, then they will probably also offer an uplift at the similar European tracks that follow during this middle part of the season.

Alpine and Aston Martin have already confirmed they will be bringing upgrades, while strong rumours are circulating that Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Mercedes will be doing the same.

Only McLaren and Haas have confirmed that they will not be fitting any major parts for Silverstone.

Keep an eye out to see how the revisions affect the running order in the midfield.

 

The Technical Directive saga carries on…

Christian Horner speaking to media

Many leading figures in F1 were not pleased that a technical directive was released

Red Bull

Just days before the Canadian GP, F1 issued a technical directive to try and help teams minimise the porpoising on cars.

It wasn’t universally welcomed, partly because it was issued while teams were in the middle of flying to Canada for the race weekend, and partly because not all teams suffer from the issue.

Unsurprisingly, given Red Bull’s current position, Christian Horner believes those struggling should figure out a solution themselves.

“The FIA, you can understand safety being their main concern, but to drop a technical directive like that just as we’re coming into a weekend, without any consultation, it just feels the wrong way to be going about things,” said Horner.

“A solution can be found. It’s a very dangerous thing to be giving the FIA the right to set up your rear ride height and your set-up going into a race.

“It seems a very complicated way to go about solving an issue. It’s not an issue which affects all of the teams. I think the inference should be on the teams to get it sorted.”

The chances of all teams resolving the porpoising issue, or finding common ground on the subject in the fortnight since Canada is unlikely, so the talk will no doubt rumble on throughout the British GP weekend.

How will Pirelli’s 18-inch tyres fare at Silverstone? 

ACC

2020 was a particularly bad year for Pirelli tyres at Silverstone

Silverstone has always been tough on the tyres, as unforgettably illustrated by the 2020 British GP.

In the closing laps, Valtteri Bottas and Carlos Sainz both had front-left tyre failures, while Hamilton crossed the line on three wheels with the same issue.

The tyre stress is largely due to the series of high-speed corners, so tyre management is always key for this race and teams usually adopt a two-stop strategy.

It’s another test for this year’s new 18in tyres, and how they cope with the Silverstone surface. Will a two-stop strategy still be the way forward, or will teams have to adjust their approach?

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