The problems continue to stack up at the Mercedes camp at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The W13 is an underperforming package that has really caught out the drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. The Baku city circuit features a 1.6km straight, which has once again highlighted the porpoising obstacle for Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton qualified P7 for the Azerbaijan GP, two places behind his teammate, George Russell in P5. The seven-time world champion in an interview with Lawrence Barretto termed Russell’s grid position as the ‘pole position’. He further explained this thought by adding, “I am third and that is the real race”.

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The experienced campaigner has been out outshone by the new recruit at Mercedes this season. Russell, with a highly consistent form of finishing in the top 5 in each race, has secured the P4 in the driver’s standings. On the other side of the garage, Hamilton is in P6 with a 34-point deficit to him. Another performance where car number 63 triumphs over car number 44, doesn’t help Hamilton’s cause.

Ferrari and Red Bull are in a completely different league opines Lewis Hamilton

Ahead of the 2022 season, Formula 1 saw a massive rule change which was introduced for more competitive racing. New factors such as the aerodynamics of the car being domineered by the ground effect. The 18-inch Pirelli tyres, and a budget cost cap are some alterations introduced to level the playing field.

In this new era, the teams who have come out on top and set the pace benchmark are the Ferrari and the Red Bull. Hamilton ended his 2021 campaign in a bitter manner, with an aim to fight back for the 8th world title this season.

He talked about the alterations in rules and regulations as he said, “It’s crazy how they changed the rules to bring everyone closer together, but it is the same as it always has been, you know.”

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Currently, the Mercedes has fallen behind in the pecking order. LH 44 reflected on his pace by saying, “These guys are miles ahead, and then there is this pack that we are in.”

At the Azerbaijan GP, Hamilton, starting behind his teammate, is optimistic about putting on a show and getting some solid points. This season 15 rounds yet to unfold and the intra-team battle at Mercedes intensifies.