Rosberg: Mercedes’ struggles are ‘unbelievable’

Editor
Lewis Hamilton walking down the Mercedes tunnel. Imola April 2022

Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton walking down the Mercedes tunnel. Imola April 2022

Continuing their poor qualifying streak, Mercedes’ problems were labelled as ‘unbelievable’ by former F1 champion Nico Rosberg.

In the wet conditions around Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, both Mercedes’ drivers had to deal with the same underlying problem they have been facing in the past few races, porpoising.

The team also struggled to get heat into their tyres, a problem that Andy Shovlin believes has a major impact on their pace in short runs such as qualifying.

As such George Russell finished down in 11th place with Lewis Hamilton P13, the latter only scrapping into Q2 by 0.004s.

Hamilton did however sing the praises of the mechanics who have been working overtime in an attempt to find a remedy for the team’s severe porpoising issues.

Flying down the long straits at Imola porpoising is not an issue that teams want to have a problem with, Nico Rosberg observed that the Silver Arrows were struggling in an interview with Sky Sports said: “You get to the end of the straight and you have to slam the brakes and you have no confidence to attack the car when it is bouncing like that.

“They are really fighting with that car and they cannot seem to understand what to do to sort it out aerodynamically. It is incredible to see them back there. I think they will go out in Q2.”

Unfortunately, the ex Mercedes driver was right, both Russell and Hamilton could not take a top ten finish. Considering how poor the cars were it is quite a surprise that they were even able to make it out of Q1.

“My goodness it is unbelievable to see how Mercedes is struggling out there,” Rosberg told Sky Sports during the day’s first qualifying session, “You can see the jumping with George Russell, it just gives you back and headaches just watching it, it is unbelievable.”

 

Saturday’s sprint race is lining up to be quite eventful for all the drivers, Mick Schumacher is stuck between the two Mercedes and in his quicker car will most likely give Hamilton who is behind him a run for his money.

One ahead of Schumacher is Russell, sitting firmly behind Carlos Sainz in the Constructors’ Championship leaders Ferrari.

Haas managed their best ever qualifying result, P4, after a stunning drive by Kevin Magnussen.

On pole, Max Verstappen will be chased to the first corner by Charles Leclerc. Let’s hope that the weather holds out and we will get a good race today and Sunday.