Mercedes lauds best performance in "classic" F1 season

Mercedes

Mercedes lauds best performance in "classic" F1 season

Hamilton and Mercedes lead both championships heading into the summer shutdown

Ewan Gale

Monday 9 August 2021 08:00

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Mercedes believes the Hungarian Grand Prix demonstrated its best performance of what is turning out to be a "classic" F1 season.

The title scrap between the Silver Arrows and Red Bull has ebbed and flowed throughout the campaign although the Milton Keynes-based outfit had looked to have taken the upper hand with a run of five race wins in a row.

That dominance was ended at the British Grand Prix and two podiums for Lewis Hamilton in a period that has seen Max Verstappen pick up just five points to turn the battle on its head.

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With a podium in Hungary after storming to pole by almost half a second over Verstappen, Hamilton proved Mercedes had found performance in its recent upgrades.

"I think a few races ago, we probably would have been looking at this and thinking, this is going to be really tough going into a break, not in the position we wanted to be in the championship and with a car which felt we were clearly second best," explained technical director Mike Elliott.

"We have obviously had some good results in the last two races, luck has definitely gone in our favour and we are sitting in a good position in the championship, but I think for me, what's really encouraging is the pace we have shown in the last two races.

"Particularly the qualifying in Budapest, to qualify one and two and by a reasonable margin, that's the strongest position we have been in so far this season.

"The rest of the season is definitely going to be tough, it is going to be a real fight. I think it is going to be one of those classic F1 seasons, hopefully, one we win, but I think it is going to be fantastic for the viewers to watch.”

Mercedes feeling "quite tired"

Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August, F1 has entered its summer shutdown. Elliott indicated the entire Mercedes team was thankful for the break.

“For those of you that don't know, in Formula 1 we have a two week enforced break where everybody goes away, there is no emails, there is nothing us technical people can do and me, personally, I am really looking forward to it," he said.

"I think it has been a really tough season so far and I think we are probably feeling quite tired.

"I think we have been enthused and energised by the last two races, the team needs a break, and I am sure they will come back really strong as a result of that."