
Mercedes "time running out" to fix W13 problems
Mercedes "time running out" to fix W13 problems

Two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen has assessed that "time is running out" for Mercedes to fix its "complex problems" with the W13.
Mercedes has endured a torrid start to the season with Imola the latest in a string of tough-to-take results after Lewis Hamilton was lapped by former rival Max Verstappen as he struggled to a 13th place finish.
Although George Russell is the only driver to have finished in the top five at each race of the season so far, these results have in part come through the misfortune of others.
Both Hamilton and team principal Toto Wolff have conceded Mercedes is not in the championship fight, an astounding statement after only four races of the year.
Writing in a column for Unibet, Hakkinen explained: “Mercedes clearly has quite complex problems with their car. It seems amazing to say it, but the world championships are already looking out of reach.
"They understand the key problems, but time is running out to find solutions.
"This is the problem in F1 – the world championship does not wait for you, the races keep coming and there is so little time to sort major problems out.”
Mercedes qualifying failure "hard to believe"
Friday at Imola set the tone for Mercedes' weekend with the team failing to feature in Q3 with either car for the first time since the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix.
"For the first time in 10 years, neither Mercedes made it through to Q3 qualifying, which is hard to believe," added Hakkinen.
"Clearly, the car design is not working in several areas. To see Lewis Hamilton being lapped by Max Verstappen after 41 laps shows what a difficult time he and the team are having."
GPFans Stewards' Room Podcast
Max Verstappen closed the championship margin to Charles Leclerc to just 27 points after completing a stunning grand slam victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
GPFans editor-in-chief Ian Parkes, deputy editor Sam Hall and F1 correspondent Ewan Gale join Oliver Wilson for this week's roundtable.
Verstappen secured his grand slam triumph after taking pole, sprint win, the fastest lap and leading across the line on all 63 tours of Imola in the grand prix.
With Ferrari toiling, the championship gap has shrunk significantly as Red Bull closed to 11 points of the Scuderia.
But at Mercedes, the picture was again bleak for Lewis Hamilton, even if George Russell's fantastic drive to fourth did at least put some gloss on the weekend. This and more on the Stewards' Room Podcast.
Listen to the GPFans Global team as they digest all the action from Imola, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, and don't forget to subscribe for more regular podcasts.
Related news

WATCH: 'Magic' behind F1 drinks system explained

Hamilton and Mercedes partnership launches new equality initiative

Hamilton reveals what has made whole Mercedes team hungry

Hamilton and Russell back in action for Mercedes
Most read

F1 LIVE - Party fever: McLaren names 2023 car

Ricciardo responds to Red Bull Bathurst snub

'Taking car leak to a whole new level' - Social media goes WILD after Alfa Romeo launch fail

F1 calendar meltdown warning as Montoya lays in on Ferrari - GPFans F1 Recap

Embarrassing launch gaffe as Alfa Romeo leak their own car
F1 Standings

Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Pirelli Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
Grand Prix of Spain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Grand Prix of Brazil 2023
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860