Mercedes test updates in secret filming day

Sam Hall
Thursday 19 May 2022 12:40

Mercedes has used its second permitted filming day to test upgrades to the W13 ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

Mercedes has endured a tough start to the season with its disappearing sidepod concept exaggerating the porpoising phenomenon suffered by the majority of teams.

Ahead of this weekend's Barcelona race, Mercedes has shared an image of George Russell in the W13 at the Paul Ricard circuit that stages the French Grand Prix.

With conditions at that track similar to those expected in Spain, Mercedes used the filming day to shakedown its updates.

As is the case for any filming day, Mercedes ran on demonstration tyres from Pirelli and was limited to just 100km, the equivalent of 17 full laps of the circuit.

Mercedes arrive in Barcelona trailing constructors' championship leaders Ferrari by 62 points with Russell, the team's lead driver in the standings, 45 behind Charles Leclerc.

Filming Day = ✅ Straight on the ✈️ to Barcelona. 💪 pic.twitter.com/30tVz2MvVt

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 18, 2022